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[Dwarmin]

OOC: Why let the game languish?

The Kathryn Lynch Files

Spoiler: Case 113/Locusts (click to show/hide)

I often think about where all this stuff comes from.

Like-everything. Nagas, Vampires, Werewolves, Giant Bugs, etc, etc. I know alot of it was already here-has always been, hiding under our noses more or less. Some of it comes from other worlds, other places. I talked to a man who theorized that they exists because we believe in them-that the collective power of our subconscious imagination literally creates the creatures that populate the night, ergo, a more skeptical world would be free of the supernatural. He turned into vapor via an atomic bomb shortly up afterwards (I helped), so I didn't get any further than that.

It did get me thinking. What keeps them from just pouring into the world and eating everything in sight?

I know it's not entirely the Archmages-despite what they (*Recently Added: or I) would tell you. They clean up the messes, sure...but the sheer amount of stuff out there could easily overwhelm everything. A good example is the Naga's. I've been told there are some clans whose numbers rival the Human population of the Earth itself. Plural. If they were so inclined, they could cover the planet in slithery stormtroopers. We'd all be devoured alive, or be taken as slaves. Bad End.

Back to the question. It turns out, the Archmages have the right idea. It's the secret that keeps Earth safe. As long as we're kept in the dark, it seems, nothing is truly interested in taking us over-it's some sort of pact between most of them, not to risk exposure to unlearned worlds. Nothing is ever easy as I mentioned above. There's plenty of Earths where the secret DID come out-and they've got their own string of alliances to defend against the Supernatural, are warring with them right now. If there was an invasion, we might even get some help.

Until then, all sides treat us as neutral. Until then.

It strikes me as slightly terrifying, then, when I find people like the Locust Group. They don't belong to a specific allegiance, though I think they might be former U.S Military-possibly members of the now defunct Project Chain-mail, the Governments 'deny deny deny' think tank and clean up group for when anything creepy crawly got into the news. I read the file-they were wiped out when one of the idiots was turned by something called a 'Kwal'-he messed up his mind, started converting others members. Those left with their sanity fought-and won, in a way, destroying their own complex to keep it from spreading.

The entire organization more or less deteriorated as the Government hunted the survivors down.

I believe the survivors formed this 'Locust Group'

It's taken me awhile to get to them, but I had to explain in advance, why I was in a slinky black dress, fighting off fatigue clad mercenaries, trying to defend a pregnant Merwoman while she gave birth.

Weird, huh?

I met her while I was surfing, actually. She certainly saw some of my moves on the water, was impressed. Her name was Vita Roman, and she had heard of me-and what I did. We sat on the beach and ate hotdogs-I noticed she was expecting. Father? Not here, she told me, but not unkindly. Like she was expecting to go back to him. Vita was afraid, to put it simply. Men had been following her-just, men. They seemed to be able to get through any defenses and screens she hid behind-no matter where she went, they were there. She had the distinct impression they wanted to hurt the baby, but when you're a new mother, I've heard, you think that about every stranger.

I did wonder if she was just paranoid, pre birth skitters-but her money was good, and I promised to play bodyguard for a few months until she went 'home', no explanation given.

After a week or so, I wondered if I was going crazy, too. Cause I saw them. They were good. But not great. There'd be the same woman who walked by every half hour by her apartment, picking the same orange up, examining it. A man with a mole on his right cheek who seemed to reading the same newspaper wherever we went. We moved alot around the city-it was a hectic time for me, but I was committed by then. There were good times too. Vita and I became good friends-I hope to see her again one day...

I'm getting ahead of myself.

We end up on a yacht-her friends, she said, were holding her a party-a going away party. She told me we would be safe there-and that the job was almost done...that it was almost time. I didn't quite let my guard down, which was smart. But I still wore high heels and a rented black dress, all the same. It hugged me nicely, and I didn't bother to hide my gun.

Of course, that's they when attacked. They came in groups of five, line dropping from Air-Gunships (that made no noise, nor had rotors I could see) it seemed-highly trained, moving in coordinated groups, sweeping the ship. They carried guns, like MP5's but larger-but not like any weapons I'd ever seen. These could punch through a steel bulkhead without leaving anything but a pinhole. The hole they left in their target was a bit bigger-these bullets, you had to dig them out before they exploded in you, and sort of...sucked you up from the inside out, like what you'd think a mini-black hole would do. I learned that the hard way...

I could mention other things-one of them cut me with a humming green knife that send me into nightmare hallucinations for a few minutes (I sort of broke his neck, thinking he was that Sewer Monster). Another guy stepped right through a locked door as if it was air-some device on his belt, which I shot, and he got trapped half in and half out. No idea where they got stuff like this. It was a terrifying merger between magic and technology-the sort that implied a rational Human mind, using the Arcane as they would any other tool. They all had the Red-on-Black Locust Insignia Patch on their left shoulders-they weren't afraid of being identified as that group, obviously.

Yeah. Vita's friends were not quite Human, and they put up a good fight. But these guys were experienced, they had the gear...and they tore them apart, one by one. I don't think many of them got out.

I killed 6 men that night-most of them, from ambush. I didn't give the bastards the honor of a fair fight. Still, they tore me apart too. I was cut, blasted, bashed and shot-but I didn't let them get into the hold.

Vita gave birth in the moonpool down there, to a little girl-I watched, held her hand, and then they both sprouted tails, and Vita jumped into the ocean. Weird, huh? She tried to tell me something, but I couldn't understand what she was saying. But she was smiling thankfully, so I got the universal message.

I staggered out-but they didn't even bother shooting at me now that she was gone, these people. They collected their dead, and they left. Didn't say a word. Didn't stop me from jumping ship-would have drowned, but I think someone helped through the water those last miles...

...

Was in the hospital for a month. I used the time to dig, as I usually did-I can't stand to just lie in bed and watch Oprah. Gah. Came upon mention of Chain-Mail. And then the Locusts. Their stated goal is to expose the Arcane World-to shine a light on it, and the Government coverup. I figure they wanted Vita and her baby for their expose. Why? Maybe they're just fanatics-maybe they think they're good guys. Maybe they are. They didn't kill anyone they didn't have to. I found no evidence they wanted to hurt Vita, at least directly. They just wanted to blow the lid on the Secret. For their own reasons, or others. I wonder if the Kwal might have something to do with it-or something else, maybe wants to bring us into the Game?

I've outlined above where that's not a good idea.

Locust is not a quiet organization. I hear about their activities now and again. Mostly they get torn apart-sometimes by the Supernatural, other times the Government-which considers them Terrorists. But they don't quit. They're getting stronger-and no doubt amassing evidence for their own big reveal, unless someone does something about it. They're at war with us, no doubt about it. They don't even have to beat us to win. All they need is an hour on CNN. It worries me more than alot of monsters and freaks I've faced...

I do sometimes wonder why they chose the Locust as their symbol. Is is something more sinister then I've thought?

I mean-Locusts destroy. They consume. They devour. Odd choice, that.

~End of File~

[Grek]

Giving Weird ideas! Nooooooooo...

But, in all seriousness, that's pretty good.

[Criptfeind]

What's a good idea? Letting it languish? Or not doing so?

[Grek]

The idea of a secret organization of mercs that want to go Wikileaks on the secret of magic.

[Weirdsound]

I said all along that I wouldn't touch this on vacation. I wanted to get All-Stars off the ground without worrying about this. I will spit out the turn tomorrow, and perhaps do a session as well.

This was intended to be a summer project. If I'm doing 2-3 turns and a session a week it can get very time consuming for me. School starts Tuesday, so I will likely have to go one turn a week tops. If we can't get replacements for both Tar and D I'll likely give this game a proper last-stand style finale some time soon.

Honestly I'm not particularly optimistic about this games chances of lasting much longer, but I'm willing to keep trucking as long as I have 4 players and a host. If we make it through the Semester (Sometime in mid December) I will likely end or suspend this game at that point before it gets stale.

There is also a chance that I may serve as assistant GM for a PTA game run by Felius, or CO GM a GURPS Kobold game with him. So keep your eyes open for that.

[Grek]

It was a good run.

[Dwarmin]

So are we going to still have a session tonight, WS?

[Weirdsound]

Nah. I should have a turn out in several hours though. With Tar in GM mode and nothing from Haika in terms of character sheet that only leaves three of us. I don't like running with three. I'll keep doing forum turns until such a time when/if we get up to four players or I call it quits.

Also, even if the player count does get back up to where I want it, I think we will need to find a new timeslot. I have my personal trainer on Monday Nights now so we would be starting an hour and a half late, and I have to get up early on Tuesday. Tuesdays and Thursdays I'm on the bus heading back from campus at start time, so that is no good.

I love this game Dwar. Its the best one I've ever run. But it is also the one requiring the most work to keep going. Way more work than PTA. I will have to slow it down for the school semester however. I think I'll try to do one turn a week, and a session every other week, likely on a Friday Night or a Mon or Wed late morning/afternoon slot.

Any updates on your situation D? Because when/if we lose you, and we don't have another character, I do think I will have no other option but to call this quits. If it happens abruptly, I do hope you can take the effort and find a connection long enough for me to do a finale and end this properly. This deserves to go out with a bang, not a fizzle.

[Dwarmin]

I'll know at the end of this month-about 3 days-how much I'm going to be out for. It'll probably be pretty hectic for the next entire month as we pack up all our stuff and move. I honestly don't know for sure until then.

[Criptfeind]

What do you mean finale? Like? A big boss battle? Or like wrapping up the hanging story lines?

[Weirdsound]

What do you mean finale? Like? A big boss battle? Or like wrapping up the hanging story lines?

To many hanging story lines for me to wrap them all up in one night. Expect more of the former than the latter.

[Weirdsound]

Adrian:

You wake up in the morning intent on working on your plans today, and perhaps upgrading your weapon some more. During breakfast however you get a call from Moonbeam, who explains she found a nice house on a lake in a distant realm.

She explains that a portal from earth will put you within 150 miles of her place. Sadly said portal is located in a synagogue in Sarajevo, all the way in eastern europe. You quickly announce to the table that you will be leaving shortly with Dai for your honeymoon, and set about making preparations.

Finding a flight to the Balkans is a bit tricky, but you eventually book one that connects through Newark that leaves in the wee hours of tomorrow morning. You then pay Kestrel for the name of somebody who can fake up some papers for your wife on short notice. He also hooks you up with the contact info of a Witch he used to bang who lives in Sarajevo, who could sell you magic broomsticks to make it from the portal to Moonbeams house.

You spend the day frantically packing and preparing, and at 2:00 AM you board a plane with your wife eager to start the next chapter of your life.

Kathryn:

You find the news that Dai is leaving to be particularly disturbing. She had promised to lend her expertise on Dragon Hybrids to help you raise your son, but now her husband is scooping her away.

It is difficult to concentrate on the book by Sarah the Blue for any length of time today. You feel compelled to check on Oliver every 10 minutes or so. Even with a full day of on and off effort you find yourself unable to walk away with any significant information. 1d80+8 = 21 + 8 = 29

Dai eventually approaches you and apologies for leaving. She implores you to show mercy to her family when dealing with them, and hints that with her leaving the realm a peaceful solution might be possible. She also explains that despite being forced to follow their fathers orders, most of her siblings love and respect Dai, and might be willing to fufill her promise to help with Oliver in her stead.

Henry approaches you in the late afternoon and you talk him into taking you out for a night on the town, at his expense.

Henry:

You try for hours, but for some reason cannot get your golem animation spell to work. After a very near miss involving an explosion you decide to give up. You learn later that Molly had spiked your mixture for making magic circles with brown sugar... 1d80+6 = 4 + 6 = 10

Kestrel breaks the bad the bad news that your target is not currently in the realm. Tracking people outside the realm is not Kestrel’s speciality, but he does inform you that Luke Prowler should be back in town the day after tomorrow, and that you should ask then. (-300 USD for Kestrel) 1d80+4 = 14 + 4 = 18

With nothing better to do you decide to hang with Kathryn, who manages to talk you into taking her out on a date. You enjoy dinner, a movie, and a few very expensive drinks with her. (-423 USD)

Ariel:

After breakfast you claim one of the holding cells in the basement and set to work trying to master the Liches Black Lightning spell. Sadly despite your best efforts, you fail to make a breakthrough today. You decide to blame the stagnant air inside the basement cell, and head upstairs to research recipes. 1d80+8 = 13 + 8 = 21

In the comfort of your own room you set about pursuing the Dark Mages cookbook. You quickly come across a recipe that would be very useful to you in battle, and that has a baking component. You bookmark the page before opening the next book. (New Recipe: Wafer of the Grave) 1d80+4 = 70 + 4 = 74

Saucy Spheres is more survival oriented. Most of the recipes within are simple foodstuff, and none of them call for anything as complex as an oven. Until you reach the chapter on the fire realm that is, which includes plans for building complex heat sources from the surroundings and recipes that call for them. After hours of combing you find the recipe for a healing salve that calls for baking. (New Recipe: Healing Salve from Fire Realm Ingredients) 1d80+4 = 73 + 4 = 77

You get a call from the owner of the Cursed Basement, who reports that his hunters have completed the job, and there is a fresh dire swan corpse waiting for you, as well as updated stock. He recommends renting a truck or some other large vehicle to pick your trophy up and haul it back to the manor.

Spoiler (click to show/hide)

Wafer of the Grave: A recipe for a cookie that is likely lethal to mortals and a boon to the undead. The cookies effect lasts 1d3 hours. Undead under the effect of the cookie gain 7 HP a round and take +10 to use all powers granted to them by undeath, or to resist turn undead type spells. To bake a batch of 7 cookies one needs the following ingredients and tools: An oven, a cookie sheet, a magical essence condenser, 3 cups of human bone meal, ½ cup of spoiled milk, 2 feet of necromancers delight, 1 tub of peanut butter, 1 canine brain, 2 tbs sugar. Roll against knowledge when baking.

Healing Salve from Fire Realm Ingredients: A concoction that cleans and heals all wounds. This Salve takes too long to apply in the heat of battle. Requires an oven, 4tbs of fire rat blood, 2 magma lilies, and one ruby to make. Roll against knowledge when baking.

[Grek]

So, I totally need a magic essence condenser and some dead people. Then, delicious cookies will be mine. Also, I need to head to the Cursed Basement. And that party. Sounds like a day full of corpses!

[Grek]

Annnd nobody else posts. 

[Dwarmin]

Uh...uh...uh