2020.06.24 Life and Death 3

Life and Death, Pt. 3
The Tamerlane finished, the investigators go over their clues.
IC Date	2020-06-24
IC Time	6:30PST
Players	Ann, Evan Goethe, Graym, Harmony, Floyd - ST, Li Bong, Sin-Eater
Location	North of Prospect, the SS Tamerlane
Spheres	Mage, Orpheus, Bygone, Wraith

Recap

LAST TIME...ON LIFE AND DEATH...

Ann, Sin-Eater and Madame Zara (with help from DeadPixel) managed to pass security and get onboard the SS Tamerlane - a rusty, Not-Seaworthy cargo freighter that mysteriously beached north of Prospect. They found a slew of bodies, several of them decayed. Fresh corpses, recently deceased, all had one thing in common - they all died with a bullet tap to the back of the head and they all had a strange tattoo. That of an Eye, with a skull for a pupil and a roman numeral V on it's forehead.

Oblivion claimed this ship long ago and it was suggested it is a relic vessel, brought over from the Shadowlands. The freighter had 1 cargo container, it's interior nothing more than a broken open box, stained with blood and pieces of obsidian tossed around the floor. The door to it was pried open that no mere human feat could achieve. It is believed that this contained a zombie, Risen, or some other humanoid monstrosity of Oblivion - who has since left the Tamerlane.

There were survivors. A father and daughter, stashed onboard the Tamerlane to make a break for American waters from Mexico. The father died, fighting his way through terror and the horror of the dead to meet his end outside the ship before reaching the highway at the monster's hands. Then there is his daughter, a small girl by the clothes you found, who hasn't been found. It is believed she escaped by jumping overboard.

Lastly, the father, and the very human captain, were found to have crossed over into the Shadowlands. Their reapers were neither hospitable or empathic to their plight, enslaving them in chains and taking them to their lair, 'Jameston'. To prepare to sell to market.

Days have passed since then. Ann and Sin-Eater return to the Tamerlane to continue their investigation. Others too, have been poking into the secrets of the Tamerlane, eager to learn the events of the freighter and what it might mean. And that is where our scene begins. Ann and Sin-eater are on the side of the highway overlooking the Tamerlane, as new faces begin to approach with questions in their eyes too.

Scene

Stepping from the shadows (just lack of light - nothing supernatural), is an Asian man in a loose set of clothing. He's got a shoulder bag over one arm, with a bamboo pole on it. He is on-foot, here on the side of the highway, and he's looking over at the Tamerlane. He's alone, but he sees Ann. And, apparently, also sees Sin-Eater. Li Bong approaches them.

Graym walks over to Sin and Ann, he's smoking his usual cigarettes and looking as 'meh' about everything as ever. He nods to them and says, "Sup? Investigating the ghost boat rumors too?" he asks.

Silvana has pretty much stayed out of things but this caught her attention so finds herself coming to view and raises a slight brow as she sees familier faces. She waves "Well looks like we are having a party"

Ann sighs looking to Sin. "I still don't really get anything about these visions I spents days..." And then people start approaching. "Hey... They're not really rumors. A lot of shit went down on that ship. Oh hey Sil what's up."

"Party? Not for the child. She is still lost?" Li Bong's accent is Chinese, and it's obvious. "I am Li Bong, and I hunt for <something in Mandarin>. You would call it The Beast. Or The Monster."

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater looks at the new faces she has never seen, and the fact they are quick who were not involved with this thing before. She walks over to Ann and sighs, "More agents? I did not know that one worked for you." She motions towards Sil, after all she knows her and she never had a badge. "A sudden increase in quick investigating this matter though."

Evan catches you looking at him and gives a playful wink back in return towards Silvana.

<WRAITH> Li Bong seems to be very aware of the activity on the other side of the Shadowlands, giving Sin-Eater and Evan a respectful bow.

Silvana looks over to Li a moment before she steps closer to Ann "So what can you tell us of what you have found out and what are you returning for?" she asks curiously.

Graym smirks and then addresses Sin, "I dunno what's 'quick' about us. But if I need to go incorporeal or step into your realm I can, figured I'd stay meat side till it's needed though." he shrugs lightly.

Harmony hadn't planned on doing any field work since she became a member of the "special" HR team dedicated to new projectors, but numbers were thin and the company decided to send an extra agent in as backup to the ones currently involved in this ship mess. So Harmony would arrive at the site in a white Prius, pulling up and finding a spot to park the car before getting out and looking around. She texts something into her phone then slips it into her pocket.

<WRAITH> Evan is sleeping and dreaming perhaps millions of miles away. He has no silver cord binding his projected spirit to his body, but comes alone unattached. The small ghostly eagle flying and soaring the air, dipping its head and lands. This bird is completely out of phase and is unseen by all, but with a shuffle of feathers and loss of vitality, the Marrow manifests to Wraiths and those with sight. The bird growing larger and splitting into two and three, multiplying till a human form took shape. Evan giving a simple head nod and pulling out a cigar. "I'm not supposed to be working today.", he teases, lighting the cigar and examining fellow spooks.

<WRAITH> Ann looks to Sin. "I don't know I was working this alone originally I guess with a missing girl they decided I needed a team." She shrugs. "I hope someone has some ideas cause All I have to go off of is some dolls a cornfield some birds that cause decay and bunch of dead bodies as a lead. Huh? (Type "help" for help.)

Li Bong looks over to the side. "Birds in a field?" And he blinks. At what Evan just did, smiling crookedly. "That's new." To the others, who've just arrived, he bows respectfully. "There is a Monster loose, that came from that ship. It's free, and it is dangerous."

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater blinks ass there are so many quick, she being the only wraith there, well until the very strange thing of a bird becoming more than one bird, becoming a multitude of birds, and finally turning into a wraith face she has never seen before. "What is that!" She asks, pointing to Evan, as that is not something she recalls ever seeing done in her many hundred of years. "And I know Sil does not work for you, and that one." She motions to Graym, "Said he did not work for you, and than there is this guy." She points to Li Bong, "Never seen him and I have been in your offices before." She sighs looking the whole ragtag group over, but mostly the one who is potentially dangerous to her, as only one is actually IN the shadowlands with her.

Silvana takes a really slow breath as she looks towards the ship then looks back to Ann "So do you have anything that belongs to the girl or a name of the girl? Anything to go on?" she asks Ann as she does look to the others joining with a very thoughtful expression.

Harmony approaches the group, addressing Ann first. "Looks like you have more of a team than I was told. I don't recognise some of these people though." She states in a soft tone, looking to each person, on either side of the shroud, to try to remember faces. "I'll follow your lead, I have like no info to go on right now."

Li Bong says, "I am not part of a team. But I will work with one, if it stops the <Terrible sounding word in Chinese>."

Graym nods, "Likewise, I don't work for anyone, but I'll work with you all. Especially if there's a kid that needs help, I have a heart afterall." and he puffs on his cigarette, "At least in this body." he smirks a bit. "Should we head to the ship and see if we can find anything that might lead us to her, or the, uh 'monster'?"

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater sighs, "Well that is going to be an issue. I am not a fan of going into danger with people who have no clear chain of command. You never know who is going to do what, or potentially put others at risk cause you do not know who is going to take the lead." She looks at Ann and sighs. "And I hvae no idea who most of these people are. It is good they want to stop darkness, but it would have been nice to forge ties before the thick of things." She grumps as she scans the group. "Alright, Rollcall. Everyone's name, organization, and what talents they bring so we can handle this in an organized fashion not pure chaos."

"Harmony. I work for people who want to help. All you need to know." Harmony replies to Sin with a reassuring smile. "I'll be back in a few minutes, don't leave without me. Just need to gear up." She states, heading back aways to return to her car so she could go through her ritual of locking herself in the trunk of it with zip ties and other precautions to protect her body. (Need to afk like 10 mins at most for a work issue, sorry to jump anyone don't want to make yall wait on me)

The Chinaman begins to unravel his robe-like clothing, and then squats down to open his bag. Under his monk's clothing, he's got some kind of black body mesh, that looks like a wetsuit. In the bag, there's gear. Wetworks gear. "I am Li Bong, of the Wu Lung. Chin'Ta, or the Lightning People." He looks around at the physical ones, and then the ghosty ones. "If those names are unfamiliar, you can call me Sorcerer. I assume none of us want Oblivion to prevail, so lets not dilly dally, yes?"

<WRAITH> Evan plays with his cigar, it was a growing crowd as he did a head count. Biting his bottom lip, he inhales slowly and searches his jacket for something. Mainly ignoring Sin and only half heartedly listening to Ann or Harmony. "Hmm... you ever see the Titanic? Not that movie shit, but the actual ship. Things been infested with spectres, it's a flagship of Oblivion.", the embers growing bright on the cigar. "It kind of reminds me of the SS Tamerlane.", listening to Sin play leader and taking roll call.

<WRAITH> Ann nods. "Yeah Sil, hey Harmony, I have a Minnie Mouse jacket that was hers and a couple cryptic future visions that maybe the three of us may be able sus through. I know you like puzzles Sil." She explains things."The first vision was a discarded doll on the ground in an indecipherable area. The a rotten foot came down crushing the doll skull. Then the doll stsrts moving feom something else beside the foot crush and a skeletal hand grabs the doll pulling it from my viee and then the doll lies motionless" She then turns to Sin "I think we should take point. I'm Ann, I work with Harmony, Though Sin knows about us so secrets aren't really needed."

Silvana nods to Graym "I'm not with the force just looking to help. I'm Sil, here to help " she looks thoughtful at each face then nods to Sin "Good call" she then looks to Ann "That might be good enough. Do you have it with you?" She then holds her hand "I will be right back i'm going to go get my bag" she is gone for a few moments to go get her gear.

Graym puffs on his cigarette, "Graym, a witches coven that has roots not in Califrona, I can see all realms, travel in all realms, go invisible and incorporeal. You lot were here first so I'll follow orders from whomever takes the lead."

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater gives Evan a long, long look. Strange things in the shadowlands something that is not setting right with her. "Mages, Orpheus, and what are you?" She asks of Evan mostly, as he has no cord, but is also doing things wraiths are not capable of doing with that whole animal turnning into many animal things. "Not seem a Masquer pull off that trick." She doesn't seem in a good mood for wahtever reason. "OH well. No Madame Zara, so not sure how to proceed, the reading you got off the jacket did it give any indicators of where to look or was it all figurative, not literal."

Li Bong removes his outer clothing, stashing it in his bag. He removes a gear belt, and straps it on. Which includes a fancy holstered sidearm with laser sights and all that crap. "You are my first male witch, Graym. In London, they would call you Warlock." He gives a respectful Chinese bow, looking to Ann and Sin-Eater. "If you will allow, I will join your investigation? I do not want to step on toes."

Silvana tracks the girl! Silvana rolls Willpower vs 5 for 6 successes. 2 3 3 4 +5 +5 +5 +5 +6 +8

Ann puzzles over visions! Ann rolls Intelligence + Enigmas vs 6 for 3 successes. 2 4 +8 +8 +8

Silvana returns wearing a jacket. She has a backpack and is that something under her jacket. She heads over towards Ann "Can I see this backpack please?" she reaches into her bag and begins to look for something as she waits for Ann to take it out.

Li Bong checks the slide on his weapon, then reholsters it. He has another magazine he slips into a speed-load pouch on his gear belt. "Do you believe the Monster uses the ship as a Lair or a Haven?" He asks Ann and/or Sin-Eater.

<WRAITH> A watery rift appears in the shadowlands for a moment, and Harmony appears to pour from it like a liquid, swirling and reforming within an instant. The rift shuts behind her with no trace. She appears no different really than she had in her body, except now she has a pistol and old style Chicago PD badge on her hip.

Graym looks like he's gonna say something to Li but then finishes his cigarette and then snuffs it out and pockets the remaining stub.

<WRAITH> Ann nods to Silvana "Of couse but it's a jacket. It is in the back of the piece of shit parked on the side of the highway of there. I can't grab it right now sorry, but I don't bother locking it not like anyone would want." She then moves to address the group. "Okay from the small information I have gleamed from my visions the girl is being hunted Sin and I are pretty sure by a Zombie like rise who may have the power to look like a jaguar. A part of my vision suggests some kind of plague I think it needs the girl for something really bad. Sorry my visions were more omen then logic so I don't have all the answers to what we need fully"

Silvana looks back to where she came and ughs "Alright I'll be back in just a moment. You all decide what you want to do and I'll return shortly." she heads off to Ann's car to get the jacket. She will be gone for a few moments because well it takes time so will pose back in after a round or two.

<WRAITH> Evan decides to bounce, lifting up off the railing. He didn't know shit about lightning people or witches, but he knew about oblivion and the shadowlands. He knew doomslayers and Order of the Thorns and Martyr Knights, young guys and gals who got themselves killed by rushing in blind and stupid against monsters. "Laters.", he offers to Orpheus members and taking a step away from the mixed bag of nuts and crazy's. Heading out, safe to live another day.

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater sighs, deciding a reply is not forthcoming, "It is not a zombie." She explains, "A wraith has reclaimed its body making a deal with the shadow, they are not seperate entities working towards a common goal that selfishly strengthens the shadow. When it is completed, a spectre will likely be the result." She than looks at Evan as he retreats but says nothing, letting him go if that is what he wishes.

Graym looks to Ann and then Sin, "So, to fight it, if it comes to that, should I stay in this form or cross over to your realm? Which plane do you want me on, basically."

Li Bong nods, "Visions are always so... metaphorical?" He smiles, "Is that the correct word? And I can confirm that The Beast may not be a zombie, but appears as a shambling corpse. We have them in the Middle Kingdom also, but... I cannot tell where this one is from. It's features are... obscure. "My Lady," Li Bong says to Sin-Eater, "Will you lead us into the ship or should we look for a trail -from- the trip?"

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater says, "The only place I know for certaint the risen was, is that ship. After that I have no indication of where his trail leads. Unless the agents of Orepheus were able to gather such from their precognitive abilities." She explains, "otherwise, we should start there and try to pick up a trail if such is possible." She waits to see if Ann or any of the others have a better starting point or suggestion in this chase. "As for sides, risen are in a physical body on your side." She explains, "So without special powers they cannot be affected by my kind.""

Li Bong grins, "Then if you spot, I will engage." He pats the holstered gun. "This will handle both sides of the Shroud."

Silvana retuns from her trip to the car as she picks up what Sin is saying then looks towards the others "So monster hunting is that what we are doing then. The girl isn't in the ship for those that are looking for the girl. So are we monster hunting or girl searching?" she smiles.

Li Bong says, "Both."

<WRAITH> Harmony listens to the conversations while watching Evan walk away, hmming to herself. When Sin mentions Orpheus she glances back to her, then to Ann. "Some secret organization we have going. We might as well start advertising in newspapers." She comments with a small shake of her head.

<WRAITH> Ann thinks and looks to Sin. "We know it went in the water chasing the girl they may be out in the water somewhere or an island. Do you really think they'll be anything else on the ship Sin?"

Silvana looking towards Li she nods then comments "Well the girl is hiding somewhere in the Harbor. Don't guess you have something of this creature do you?" she asks curiously. She finds finds somewhere to lean as she looks at the group.

Graym nods to Sin, "Cool, meat side it is then for now. I'm up for looking for the girl, or hunting the monster, I'll follow the pros lead." and he nods to those that have been on the case before.

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater says, "No I do not think there is more on the ship, but we need a breadcrumb, a trail to follow right?" She asks, lookin them over. "And I cannot rewind time and tell you which way the Risen went, or the girl. And I lack the precognitive powers of an Oracle. So, unless you have some idea where to start our search Ann? I guess we start where we know the beginning was?""

Li Bong nods toward the Ship. "So then... Madame," He says to Sin-Eater again, "If you lead and take point, we should go where we -know- the Beast was last?"

Graym follows along with the group, just looking out for things for now.

Investigate! Sin-Eater rolls Perception + Investigation vs 6 for 2 successes. 2 3 5 +7 +10 Li Bong rolls Perception + Investigation + 2 vs 6 for 6 successes. 2 2 5 5 +6 +7 +9 +10 +10 +10 Graym rolls Perception + Investigation vs 6 for 1 successes. 5 5 +10 Silvana rolls Perception + Investigation vs 3 for 6 successes. 1 2 2 +3 +4 +4 +6 +9 +10 10 Ann rolls Perception + Investigation vs 6 for 4 successes. 3 +6 +7 +9 +9

So people head down toward the Tamerlane. The ship, now, no longer has police personnel guarding it. Instead it just has the Obligatory Police Tape which is easily skipped by now that the authorities have cleared the ship of evidence. The group retraces steps, based on what others know occurred and fresh eyes to catch what was missed. What they find is caught by Li Bong and Silvana. Bare foot prints that have almost vanished due to tide stick out to them like a sore thumb. They go from the woods toward the shoreline, walking along the sandy shore heading south toward Prospect. They go on for about a mile, until the footprints vanish due to tide.

Li Bong kneels down in the sand, one hand placed inside one of the footprints, to guage the size (?). "We lost it here. Anything in the Shadowlands?" He asks nobody and nothing that other humans could see.

<OOC> Li Bong says, "How big was/is it ?"

<<OOC>> Floyd says, "The foot is average size. So full adult."

Silvana pinches the bridge of her nose a little bit as she watches the footprints leaving and comments "Somehow I think we are heading to the Harbor" she looks around the ship and looks for a moment then shakes her head as she seems to talk herself out of something.

Li Bong ehs to Silvana. "What do you mean?"

<WRAITH> Ann looks to Silvana. "The harbor. You think?"

Graym says, "I can /try/ to draw out anything that might be hidden with a spell if you want?" to the group.

Silvana nods to Ann "Well the girl is that way, same way that the foot prints are going. I felt her hiding in that direction" she points in the direction.

Li Bong looks over to Graym and Silvana, while still squating on the ground, where the footprints end. "We don't want to -lead- the Beast to her, if it's really hunting her. You think you can find it, if it's hidden, Mr. Graym?"

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater looks about and sighs, "So, who here picked up the trail of the kid, and which direction do we go in?" She asks, after all she has willworkers here, for all she knows they used time to see the past and know exactly which way the creature trhey are seeking went.

Silvana looks towards Li and nods "Or maybe the monster is going to lead us to her and we can beat him to it" she looks twoards Graym "If you can maybe that would be a good idea" she raises her hand "I did Sin I found the trail to the kid and Mr. Li Bong and I found the trail to the monster that is leading in the same direction"

<WRAITH> Ann nods to Silvana. "I see but Li bong is right We should track the monster if we can not just go to where the girl is." She looks to Graym and holds out his hand. "Here."

Ann loses 3 Magical Essence

<OOC> Ann says, "Graym +3 dice to your next roll."

Li Bong speaks across hte shroud, "The Footprints fade here. But we need to deal with the threat, before the victim. I expect you don't want to put her at risk." He looks over to Silvana, "You sensed her nearby? Any idea how far?

Graym says "Uh, I know a spell that will draw things to me, so if it's hiding around here it would come here. Though it may draw other things here instead, if they're nearby." he shrugs "That's the best I got for suddenly no more tracks." he holds Anns hand then, for whatever reason, and nods to the group, "Ok, here goes." he gets out a cigarette and lights it, and uses his free hand holding the cigarette to start drawing a sigil in the air, meanwhile he begins to speak as loudly as he can, near a yell in fact, in a singsong voice, "That which hides or remains afield, to me wander, to me yield!"

Li Bong stays squating, hand on his holstered gun, round-rimmed retro shades on his face as he looks at Graym, then off into the darkness along the beach.

Graym a few long moments pass and then Graym sticks his cigarette back into his mouth. "Nothing is being effected by the call, so, only natural animals around then." he nods.

Li Bong looks over to Ann and Sin-Eater. "Do either of you know -why- it wants the girl? Maybe we need to bait it with an alternative."

<WRAITH> Ann shakes her head. "No just a warning of a plague in an omen but I don't if they are related." She sighs. "Though I doubt an alternative will work. She seemed to hunt her specifically even though her dad was the weaker prey on the boat. Madame Zara said when she looked in the past.

<WRAITH> Ann adds "The me look at the past week and see if I can see where the monster went.

Li Bong nods, "I dont know who that is, but alright." He looks over to Silvana. "You were right. Lets find the girl. And then wait for it to follow us. At least this way... she'll have a chance."

Silvana looks to Li Bong and guestures "Well we head that way" she points "That's the direction, maybe as we head that way we will find tracks of our monster?" she takes a slow breath.

Li Bong nods to Silvana, takes a breath, and stands up. He draws his weapon, but keeps it down at his side. "Miss Ann, does your Orpheus Group know how to separate the Shadow from the Body?" He's using words from Sin-Eater.

Graym frees his hand from Anns and smokes, and raises an eyebrow at her thousand yard stare.

Li Bong sees that Ann doesnt answer, and Sin-Eater has gone silent. He will comment to Graym and Silvana. "If it truly walks on -both- sides of the Shroud, and they they assault the spirit. we should tackle the body. It can't defend against both... no?"

Graym nods to Li, "I can effect it in either realm, but if this many go up against it when we find it I'll probably focus on hitting it with a torture spell to make it fight shittier. I'm not much or a brawler to be honest." and he flicks some ash from his cigarette.

<WRAITH> Ann gasps looking up and immediately starts talking. "A man in leopard skin... no... maybe... it's spotted but so old it's like leather... He is deathly pale but an indigenous... bald... hollow dark eyes...he's searching for something... He looks very...sick... Maybe he has the Plague! He runs and runs... he scours the shoreline... then the trees and grass... then he runs back to the water... His head snaps quickly south... now he heads into the water..." She starts to take quick shallow breaths for a moment.

Li Bong nods, "I can handle that." He looks back to Ann, to see if she's done with her trance.

Silvana looks towards Ann and then towards the water then back to Ann then towards the others "Is he in the water?" she takes another breath "Maybe we should still seek the girl, but i leave that up to you guys to decide?"

Li Bong tilts his head, "Graym... any of that hedge magic let you talk to fish?" He gazes out across the water, after hearing Ann's translation.

Graym shakes his head, "No, I know one that makes them follow my commands, like the best pro animal trainer ever, but not talk to them. I could say 'lead me to this person if you saw them', but like, they're fish, they're limited by their, well, limited intelligence, so they'd just lead me to any person, or swim in circles confused as shit. So no help that way, I'm afraid."

Li Bong smiles to Graym, "Actually, that's pretty cool anyway." He chuckles, "Next time, lets go snorkling."

Silvana takes a breath "too bad we don't have a picture or something so I can see what we are exactly looking for or who we are looking for"

<WRAITH> Sin-Eater says, "The girl first, she is a priorty." The wraithd decides, having listented to all this quietly. "I think we will find the leopard man in time, he will continue tot do his evil and may harm others, but the child is in immediate risk, and perhaps hunted by the leopard man right? So we save the girl.""

Li Bong stands, looking into the water still, eyes hidden behind his glasses as they peer through the darkness. He doesnt react to the suggestion/decision to go for the girl.

<WRAITH> Ann nods "I agree with Sin. If we find the girl and protect her the monster has no choice but to come to us anyway. Also maybe he becomes zombie like in my future vision cause he just live in the ocean when he isn't searching so we won't be able to find him as he doesn't need to breath."

Graym huffs in humor to Li and nods and then nods to Ann and Sin, "Ok, so, where to? The Harbor, ya?"

Silvana gives a little groan as she holds up a finger "Just a moment" she doesn't look very happy as she walks away heading towards Ann's car again. Who knows what she is doing way over there.

Ann smirks and yells. "You could just bring it with you she may want it back when we find her. Something familiar you know."

(Investigation Paused)