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Some resources: https://mega.nz/#F!rFIDxRRK!IEzkLlroRoPwmDqtxKRMsw

Discord: https://discord.gg/GQMr35k

Character Sheet: http://pastebin.com/G48KCHjz

Chapter 4: Hall of the Mountain King >>1253092


Chapter 5


June 14th, 1977. Southwest Portland. 2 PM.

"Shoo! Shoo! Get off, it's mine!"

You wave your hat wildly at the dog with your free hand as the two of you play tug-of-war over a piece of beef you found in the garbage. You found it first, but this damn mutt ran up on you and tried to snatch it out of your hand. The little sneak-thief! Now it must pay! Or at the very least let go.

You finally pry the beef from the pest's jaws after several minutes:of struggling, and greedily wolf it down. Strictly-speaking, you didn't NEED to scavenge food: you have a fat roll of Benjamin in your back pocket. But, living on the streets as the Autumn Court's street informant, you felt that it helped to play the part.

With lunch done, you squat down in the alleyway and get to thinking about what to do today.

>Follow up on a rumor? (Rumors found here: http://pastebin.com/2a3H84FR )

>Visit someone you know?

>Hit the bricks for new leads?

>Visit the Goblin Market?

>Head to one of the Courts?

>Write-In
>>
>>1268320
>Hit the bricks for new leads?

Let's see what kind of contacts we know around Portland, since we have those dots now
>>
>>1268320
>Hit the bricks
Any update on how the peeps are settling into their new identities\?
>>
>>1268320
>Hit the bricks for new leads?
>Follow up on a rumor?
Ask our contacts if anyone's seen that dog in the park
>>
>>1268355
Mary's going to attend summer school so that she can go to Sunrise High next semester. Her new name is Mary LaPour. Terry has found gainful employ as a gas-station cashier, and is living under the guise of Mary's uncle-in-law and caregiver, Alphonse LaPour. You try and visit them at least once per week.
>>
>>1268414

Good to hear, we should try to find cool little baubles for Mary and useful stuff for Terry, be amazed at what people throw out sometimes. Have we yet seen what Mary actually looks like? Are the blankets actually a part of her mask?
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 1 = 12 (3d10)

>>1268341
>>1268355
>>1268389
You circulate around the local fringe population, looking for info.

The Nook Man -"Who's there? You got my groceries? Good, good, just pass them through the slot. Listen: I saw them again. Little imps traipsing across the rooftops, stealing from people through the chimneys. Watched them through my telescope. That's the fifth time this month. Something strange. They never steal from the old colonial from 37th street: you know, the one that "medium" lives in? But they aren't a medium, not REALLY, because ghost's aren't real. What? No, of course they aren't, I'm not CRAZY."


Street Guy -"Hey, Jerry! Sit down, get a swig of this!
... Yeah, yeah, I know the drill. Keep seeing doors, you know. Doors where there shouldn't be doors, I mean. Standing in thin air, or on alley walls, I mean ON the walls, in front of other doors. It's mental! Mostly, it's all happening in a neighborhood in the West end of town: I hear people are even vanishing into them! Drives me to drink. Yeah, yeah "everything drives you to drink", save it.


Crazy Larry -"-y and spy on my thoughts now, HUH gubbmint! HA! YA CAN'T! I gots me FOIL now! Blocks out yer rays! Oh, it's you again, magic man. Don't go puttin' spells on me, now, heheheh!... Wassat? Oh, I've seed plenny! I've seed PLENNY! I seed... lessee... oh, saw a man running down the street all done up in wraps and chains! A mummy, runnin across the University quad, clear as day, bein' chased by burly men with butterfly nets! Only, that's not happened, because they ran through my head. An' then, there's a big frog living under Chinatown! It's eating all the chow mien! An' the psychiatrists's trying to make me crazy! I was taken there by... someone, an' I saw him, I saw the REAL him, and when I pointed, he changed back! T'was in NoPo! Then my son an' I went for ice cream- wait, when was that? My son... ah, fergeddit! Piss of, tree boy! Don't you spit on me! I din't fight in the War for this!"

You back off as the old man waves his fists at you.
"Okay, okay!"
>>
>>1268508
"Good! Good! Geddouta my STREET!"

You jot down the new information in your notebook.

>Follow up on a rumor? (Rumors found here: http://pastebin.com/2a3H84FR )

>Visit someone you know?

>Visit the Goblin Market?

>Head to one of the Courts?

>Head to the Peculiarium?

>Use your new Book of Tales?

>Write-In
>>
>>1268512
>Head to the Peculiarium?

Let's check in with the Autumn Court, maybe take a look at the Job Board
>>
>>1268516

Oh hell, those job board postings are in our book now, while we're in the area let's swing by Downtown and check in with the lady who fears for her life
>>
>>1268521
Sounds good to me
>>
>>1268512
Procedural note: rumor section updated.
>>
>>1268521
>>1268542
You start heading downtown.

1966 SE Hemlock Ave, Ladd's Addition, Downtown Portland. 3:30 PM.

The woman is blonde and in her early 30's, by your judgement. She's wearing a plain green blouse, and would look quite lovely, if her eyes didn't have big bags under them. She's currently sitting on the back porch of her quaint single-story home, smoking a cigarette. She hasn't noticed you, in your ratty coat, standing up the street and looking at her. Occasionally, she quickly scans the street with the jerky motion of a bird looking for a worm.

>Walk up to her

>Sneak up and try to startle her

>Write-In
>>
>>1268637
>Walk up to her
>>
>>1268637
>Walk up to her
>>
>>1268637
>Walk up to her
>>
>>1268637
>Walk up to her

"Ma'am I understand you're looking for some help with something?"
>>
>>1268650
>>1268663
>>1268713
>>1268774
You walk up the street and climb the steps to the back porch.
"Hello, miss. I heard you were in need of help."

The woman jerks suddenly. "W-what are you even talking about?! I'm fine!"

"I know you aren't. You're in fear for your life. You want help."

"I-I..." Her head swivels around the street again. "You... better come inside."

The home is decorated in a contemporary fashion: lot's of warm, natural colors and wood paneling. You sit down on a couch and stare at the collection of books on the coffee table:
"Mythology and Folklore of the Salish." "Cottingly Fairies: Truth or Fiction?" "Grimm's Fairy Tales".

"So... what is your problem, exactly?"

"Um... it's my ex. We hooked up... like, a year ago, and we were really good... together, you know. But then, he started acting... weird, like he had lost his mind. I mean, he always used to call me his princess, but..."

She sniffs. "And now, he won't leave me alone. I've called the police, tried to get a restraining order, but he won't go away. And now, he's getting more violent. He's been calling me an evil witch that stole his princesses, and..."

Her voice goes quiet. "I'm scared."


>What do you want me to do?

>What are you willing to offer me?

>Do you know what I am?

>Write-In
>>
>>1268883
>Do you know what I am?
"I saw those books on your shelf. Ma'am, do you believe in fairies?"
>>
>>1268883
>What are you willing to offer me?

listen carefully and then

>What do you want me to do?
>>
>>1268883
>What do you want me to do?
Then find out
>What are you willing to offer me?
>>
>>1268883
these:
>>1268900
>>1268932

Don't allude to being anything other than a normal fellow human.
>>
>>1268900
>>1268932
>>1268941
You lean forward.

"What do you want me to do?"

"Make him leave me alone. I mean, don't... you know, KILL him; I think he's sick. But just get him to get out of town or... get him help, please."

"And... what can you offer me?"

"...I'm pregnant."

"And? What's your poi-"
The weight of her words soak into you.

>... No. I'm not that kind of fairy. If you're that desperate, I'll help you for nothing.

>... I accept your offer. (Extend hand)

>Let me make you a different offer (write-in)
>>
>>1269007
Damn, that's pretty crazy. QM if you remember the first thread, didn't Long-Of-Days buy us for the price of a baby's first laugh? How would we be able to set that sort of deal up
>>
>>1269026
You can buy and sell ANYTHING through a pledge. However, something as... intangible as that is useless without a buyer.
>>
>>1269037
How the heck did the bidding at our slave auction work, then, if baby laughs don't have a set value?
Would we be able to go to Conrad or someone and ask what sort of intangibles have buyers?
>>
>>1269043

I suspect that intangibles are Gentry currency and we don't want to deal with them
>>
>>1269047
>Gentry currency
I'd buy that. I'm honestly not on board with taking this baby, but I AM on board with extracting some value from it
>>1269051
this guy know's whats up. We should get his first fear, too, maybe we can gift it to the horned king or something
>>
>>1269058

Yeah ended up deleting that because of the difficulty in moving the product. Could pay out major dividends but only if we actually found a good use for it.

Reposting the idea for people who missed it

"The child's first laugh, first fear, and first memory of a sunny day."
>>
>>1269007
>Let me make you a different offer (write-in)
How about a token of the love she had with her ex? It'll be more valuable at the goblin market (being tangible and all) and I'm sure she won't mind parting with it.
>>
>>1269078
>moving the product
Yeah I'll agree with that. I think we should talk to conrad, and get some more details about bargains that we can strike with mortals and what are some valuable things to ask for.
>>1269081
has the right idea
>>
>>1269089

How about a token of love (between her and the ex) and the baby's first tear?
>>
>>1269095

I agree, both are material and may have a good value
>>
>>1269095
I'll support it, seems smart
>>
>>1269095
Sounds good to me
>>
>>1269102
Wait, she might be a fetch
>>
>>1269119
Can fetches get pregnant? Seems unlikely... But either way we'll find out when we investigate the guy
>>
>>1269130
They can, half fetches are also incredibly dangerous, it's rare though
>>
>>1269130
If I remember correctly, they can it just turns out really really really badly.
>>
>>1269095
>>1269099
>>1269101
"Now, why would I want to deal with another mouth to feed? Give me a symbol of your love and the first tear of your child, and I will hunt him until the ends of the earth, and if I don't catch him by the new moon, it will show that I am worth nothing."

You do your best to pitch your voice low and rumbling, to impress her. Apparently, it works, because she nods, and you feel the pledge seal itself.

"His name's Jacob Rolfe. He lives in a Beaverton tenement. Please... just fix him."

You hold her hands. "I'll do what I can."

>Go to the Peculiarium

>Go to Rolfe's tenement.

>Write-In
>>
>>1269130
>
I agree. And if the kid turns out to be half-fetch letting us dispose of it would be payment enough
>>
>>1269154
if it's a half fetch it full on kill with and ice and agent orange and nukes
>>
>>1269150
>Go to the Peculiarium

Let's see if we can ask some questions of Conrad first and maybe get some advice on how to approach the situation
>>
>>1269150
>>Go to Rolfe's tenement.

crash nearby and scout the plac
>>
>>1269150
>Go to the Peculiarium
Inform them of the possibility of a half-fetch
>>
>>1269150
>>1269192
And to ask him about selling what we were offered. It would be nice to get some instruction in that realm.
>>
>>1269150
>Go to Rolfe's tenement.
>>1269192
>>1269167
Do we have any evidence of her being a fetch besides >>1269119
just suggesting it? I'm not saying it's impossible, just that we should probably get more proof before jumping to that conclusion
>>
>>1269210
I think it's less the mother being a fetch and more Rolfe being a fetch. Fetches usually end up acting weird, like how Rolfe is acting right now.
>>
>>1269220
Well in the way of Rolfe being a fetch we have evidence that "this one chick says he's acting weird." I think something more concrete might be in order
>>
>>1269234
...Yeah, good point. Maybe we were getting worked up for no reason.
>>
>>1269242
Heck, even if it is a half-fetch, its not like the baby is coming tomorrow. We've got time to do a thorough investigation
>>
>>1269249

True but I would still like to get Conrad's insight and get a little bit more information about the deals themselves
>>
Also this would be a good time to use the Paperback of Many Tales
>>
>>1269210
Rolf said she was an imposter, maybe he's not crazy
>>
So:

>Go to Peculiarium

>Go to Rolfe's Apartment

>Read the Paperback of Many Tales
>>
>>1269305
>>Go to Rolfe's Apartment
>>
>>1269305
>Go to Rolfe's Apartment
>>
>>1269305
>>Go to Rolfe's Apartment
>>
>>1269326
>>1269338
>>1269342

Sunny Days Tenement, Beaverton, Oregon (within walking distance of Portland). 6:00 PM.


You put on your scavenged pair of sandals before you start walking through the detritus that surrounds the Sunny Day Tenement building. You hear the crunch of syringes and the rumple of discarded condoms as you walk down the filth-stained street. There are many nice neighborhoods in Beaverton, but this place isn't part of them. With your... extra senses, you can FEEL the despair, rage, and naked, hedonic hunger emanating all around you. You look down at the slip of paper in your hand:
5B

You take the back stairwell to the fifth floor: the front one had a group of obvious thugs loitering in it, a few of which were openly armed.

The door to 5B is clearly undergoing the early stages of rot.

>Knock on the door

>Try and kick the door down.

>Try to pick/beat the lock

>Try and sneak in from the window

>Write-In
>>
>>1269398
>Write-In

Let's talk to some of the folks around here about it, come up with a good cover story like that he owes someone money and they want it paid, which isn't far from the truth
>>
>>1269398
Yeah this >>1269404
>>
>>1269398
>>Try and sneak in from the window
>>
>>1269404
>>1269398
Supporting
>>
>>1269398
>>Write-In
>Let's talk to some of the folks around here about it, come up with a good cover story like that he owes someone money and they want it paid, which isn't far from the truth
>>
>>1269404
>>1269406
>>1269421
You start circulating in the tenement, looking for information.

Presence + Persuasion: Chance dice (roll a d10, 10 only counts as success, 1 is dramatic failure. May spend 1 willpower to change to 3 dice.
>>
Rolled 6, 7, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>1269431

Willpower
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1269431

no will
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1269431
>>1269431
No willpower, lets minimize dram fail chances
>>
>>1269441
To clarify: the three dice option works as normal.
>>
>>1269445
Well, shit. Seems kinda late to change my roll though now
>>
>>1269453

Well it's not like we have a complete set for either option
>>
Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1269431
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1269431
>>
>>1269483
>>1269441
>>1269440
"Hello, I just need to know about the guy in 5B-"

"Yeah, nah. Don't like your look, granddad."

"Oh, don't like my look, huh? Well, fine then."

It's clear no one in this tenement's going to talk, and also, that little bum needs to get hexed. Some use that was.

The door remains unmoved.


>Knock on the door

>Try and kick the door down.

>Try to pick/beat the lock

>Try and sneak in from the window

>Write-In
>>
>>1269530

Well it certainly could have gone worse

>Knock on the door
>>
>>1269530
>Write-In
Look through the keyhole
>>
>>1269530
>Write-In
Try and find a vantage point to get a look at what is going on
>>
>>1269530

How long until the next new moon anyways?
>>
>>1269604
The 16th, but the pledge could, in theory be stretched to the 18th.
>>
>>1269632

Wouldn't want to strain it too hard but it gives us wiggle room
>>
>>1269574
>>1269583
You put your eye up to the keyhole-

The flicker of a dead TV screen burns in the corner. The living room is a mess of discarded take-out containers, unwashed clothes, and other, less identifiable things. The air through the keyhole smells of rot and decay. You can see a hand slumped on the arm of a chair facing the TV.


>Knock on the door

>Try and kick the door down.

>Try to pick/beat the lock

>Try and sneak in from the window

>Write-In
>>
>>1269724
>Knock on the door
Couldn't hurt
>>
>>1269724
>Knock on the door
>>
>>1269724
>Knock on the door
>>
>>1269789
>>1269736
>>1269791
You knock on the door once, and it swings in a few inches before hitting a pile of trash. You walk forward...

It's a small apartment: a living/dining/kitchen area, a bathroom, and a bedroom. Trash covers the floor. So do two bodies: a pair of blacks with stab wounds all over their chests. Their third lies in the chair facing the TV, a metal rapier through his heart. You start sweeping Rolfe's apartment for any sign of the perpetrator.

Roll Wits + Composure (4 dice)
>>
Rolled 6, 4, 8, 8 = 26 (4d10)

>>1269802
>>
Rolled 5, 8, 7, 1 = 21 (4d10)

>>1269802
>>
Rolled 9, 10, 6, 6 = 31 (4d10)

>>1269802

Ah shit, not a place we want to be and what the hell is a rapier doing here
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1269814

Boom
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1269817

And one
>>
>>1269814
>>1269817
There's no one in the apartment besides you. A peek in the bathroom shows nothing but more trash. The bedroom looks like it hasn't been slept in for months. The wall above the bed is covered in torn-out pages: little pigs in their houses of straw, wood, and brick, clever cats in boots, princes turning into swans, brave tailors outwitting giants. All of them have been defaced by crazed scrawls penned by a desperate hand. Cut into the center of it all by some sharp object are the outlines of the words:

HAPPILY EVER AFTER

You spot two books lying beneath an overturned dresser in the bedroom: you bend over to dig them out. One's a copy of "Grimm's Fairy Tales" with half the pages missing. The other's a journal of some kind.

>Do a second search, looking for any clues.

>Read the Paperback of Many Tales

>Read the journal, carefully

>Get out of here

>Write-In
>>
>>1269884
>Write-In
Grab the journal and get out. We can read it at the Pecularium where it's safe
>>
>>1269884

Grab the journal and the book of fairy tales and then get out, we can read them all somewhere safe, but we should stay in the neighborhood, somewhere we can see the apartment in case he comes back
>>
>>1269916
Switching to this
>>
>>1269916
>>1269918
You grab the journal and the book of fairy tales and sprint down the stairs and across the street, where you squat in an alleyway, panting slightly.

You pop open the journal to an earlier entry and start thumbing through:

July 7th: I've met the most lovely girl today! I was out at the grocery getting some food for Wiggles, and she and I ended up reaching for the same bag! Her name's Eliza DuChamp, and she has the most lovely blonde hair I've ever seen: it's like someone poured gold on it! We got talking to one another and, well, we're having dinner tonight at the corner bistro. Hope that this works out. I've had so much heartbreak already in my life, I don't know how much more I could stand.


September 17: It's been a whirlwind two months with Eliza! I feel like, before her, I was a man in a dark chamber, never knowing the light of day- until she brought it into my life! The pain, the doubt, the need for something to numb the pain: I don't need it when I'm with her! I really think that she's THE ONE. I would propose right now, but I think she'll need time: if we're still together on Christmas day, that's when I'll do it!

October 30: Went for coffee with Eliza, my sweet princess, as I've taken to calling her. It was lovely, but I could barely keep my mind on it. I had the strangest dream last night! Or maybe it was a nightmare. The funny thing is, now that I try to recall it, it seems to have slipped my mind. Ah, but isn't that just the way of dreams! Halloween promises to be quite the exciting night for both of us: we're attending a costume party at the house of one of Eliza's friends, and my Lennon impression is going to be KILLER!
>>
>>1269937
November 1: Party didn't go well. No fault of my own; it was just that Eliza was feeling sick. I feel so guilty that I didn't notice. I guess I've been selfishly distracted by my dreams. I feel like I keep having the same one every night, but it's... different, somehow. I'm starting to remember little snatches... something about a figure coming to me at the foot of my bed. I feel... both energized and drained. Maybe I should start working on that manuscript I shelved. Beats hammering out garbage "human interest" stories.

December 26th: Proposal to Princess went well. She accepted, of course. How could she say no, after such a wonderful courtship? I am her Gallant Prince, and she my fair lady. A better match there has never been.
The visitations continue. I can now make out the full form of my muse: like a mist made of swirling words, but in the form of a man. Such a lovely image... it has truly helped my writing.

February 10th: Princess asked why her Prince wasn't working anymore. He had to explain to her that his writing was more important. After all, he understands now, because the Muse, that spirit of Story, is guiding him. All the patterns, all the themes, they all made sense now! He just had to get back to the fundamentals. Yes, the fundamentals...

March 3: She kicked me out. How could she do that? I love her, I really do, and I've tried so hard to be good to her, but her cat... it just looked at me, and then it was a manticore, and I...


April 2: Am I losing my mind? Everywhere's a story, all unfolding like the lotuses of the lotus-eaters, and here I am, trapped in the grasp of these stories. They make my head hurt. They want out. They want out. I have to get them out. Have to get them out.

(A large section of pages here have been torn out.)
>>
>>1269967
May 1st: Once upon a time, there was a valiant prince who lived in a magical tower, cast far away from his true love, as the clever hag bewitched her to think that manticores were cats and the prince was a madman, but she was wrong, said the wise seer, for you see, the princess WAS the clever hag, and her true self had been stolen away by the hag's magic, and if the prince was clever, he could get her back and live happily ever after.


May 2nd: Once upon a time there was a clever hag who loved to play games and sing songs and oh, why don't you come back to me, princess, I'm your prince, and the prince gets his princess because that's the rules and you can't make it work different, that's how it works, stop it, that's not fair.


May 3nd: Once upon a time there was a story that began once upon a time in a far away land the book was opened and all the stories came out and they were a person and and they had eyes and a mouth and they could tell themselves and they wanted more, always more, those stories and they wanted it so that they could have it and then they would know how it was and how it worked and then they would live happily ever after and they all lived happily ever after after after afterafer


May 4rd: Ocne poun ateim der wuz a print.

Mayburary: Oelanlkapoeaunfaljakletimalmewlknf


o nnnn aaa aa a lmmmm iiiiiiiiih


aaa ooooooo tttttt prrrrrr ajlkalefjaiflasnelfkcawjilandkdd

a
a
ccc

aeea

lkjlkan


ONCE UPON A TIME.
>>
>>1269972
The last page is filled with a detailed charcoal sketch of Eliza being swept off her feet by a gallant prince. When you look closely, it appears to have been made by someone writing very fine letters en masse.

You put the journal down.


>Go to the Peculiarium

>Read the Paperback of Many Tales

>Visit Terry and Mary for help

>Visit the Goblin Market for information.

>Write-In
>>
>>1269979
>>Go to the Peculiarium
Looks like some sort of art demon
>>
>>1269979
>Read the Paperback of Many Tales

Wow, seriously nice job Teller, well this dude is a deteriorating fetch and we need to figure out what to do with it because unless there's some magic fuckery going on there's no way it's not the fetches child
>>
>>1269979
>Read the Paperback of Many Tales
>>
>>1269986
>>1269988
You pull out the paperback, with it's psychedelic, swirling cover, and set it down. You then use your pocket knife to cut a small wound on your finger, just deep enough to bleed, and press it on the cover. Roll Wyrd (1 dice). May spend Willpower to make it 4 dice.
>>
Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>1269994
Honestly, we really don't have much willpower left, do we?
>>
>>1269994

What is our current willpower st?
>>
>>1269997
>>1269999
You're back to full will, thanks to a 4-day timeskip. No need, though.
>>
>>1269997
Your blood splashes on the cover, and the psychedelic patterns ripple out, transforming the cover into an image of a elderly man with an uncanny resemblance to your Mask posing with a science-fiction ray gun in one hand, his face in half-illumination (although his eye in shadows glows like a headlight). "JUNKIE: A JERRY BOOSTER STORY" reads the cover. You pick it up and do a quick read-through. It's a mash-up of a noir and a sci-fi story. Only one scene sticks out in your mind at the present:
Jerry Booster shook his head as he walked into the sorry scene. The three Zorblaxians were dead on the floor, ray-blast burns all over their green skin. His partner, H3-C7-0R, clanked around the room slowly, using his auto-senses to analyze and reconstruct the crime-scene. Damn sybers, Booster thought to himself. They're better investigative cops, they don't take zonut breaks, and you can pay them a tenth of what humans need. Of course, I'm hardly one to talk: I'm a syborg, after all.
"You got something, 'Hector'?" he cried out.

"AFFIRMATIVE. SCENE ANALYSIS INDICATES THAT THE ZORBLAXIANS WERE KILLED WITH A 2034 MODEL RAY-BLASTER FROM 20 YARDS. ZORBLAXIANS ARE DRESSED IN PERIOD RECREATIONS OF THE ZORBLAXIAN MARINE CORPS UNIFORM USED IN THE EARTH-CENTAURI WAR, IN A MANNER NEAR-IDENTICAL TO THE DEATHS IN THE FAMOUS PERIOD PIECE '4 YEARS IN THE VOID.'"

"The war sim?"

"AFFIRMATIVE"

Booster cursed. "Tojo! Only one thing could have caused this: simpsychosis. Which means-"


"HE HAS LOST HIS ABILITY TO DISTINGUISH FICTIONS FROM REALITY."

Booster took a long, slow sip from his hip flask of contraband mineral water. "Close, 'Hector', but no xigar: there's someone out there, probably a malfunctioning syber, who's slinging overcharged sims."


>Go to the Peculiarium

>Visit Terry and Mary for help

>Visit the Goblin Market for information.

>Track down an Autumn Courtier you know for info

>Entreat a Court for aid.

>Write-In
>>
>>1270005
Damn, what do we know about major clarity loss? We may need to talk to an expert, even though I'm not sure it's clarity loss we're dealing with, that might be a place to start.
>>
>>1270005
>Track down an Autumn Courtier you know for info

Conrad first
>>
>>1270019
Not a bad idea, let's go with this.
>>
>>1270019
>>1270032
The Peculiarium, Portland, Oregon/The Hedge. 8:30 PM.

You catch Conrad just as he's locking up the Peculiarium's mortal-friendly front, waving the last group of tourists out the door. His black eyes swivel as he sees you coming down the street.

"Great. Look, newbie: what do ya want? In case you haven't noticed, we're CLOSED on this front, and you have a half-hour in the smoking room before it closes, too."

"Listen... what do you know about... what happens when one of us goes... mad?"

Conrad pauses. "You starting to crack up, newb?"

"Oh, no. It's just... something I'm working on."

"Well, if it's something you're working on, that's fine then. What'dya think I am, a schmuck? Listen, nothing brings the Gentry down like a Madman running around blowing shit up because he's lost himself in their story. If you know something, tell me. I don't want the hounds on anyone in this Court, especially one close to me."

"Look, just hook me up with someone who might be able to help."

"Well, there's a couple people...

Old Middy, who lives in the Witch's Castle in Forest Park, she might help. She's the Witch of the Bitter Wind: the most powerful sorceress in the Autumn Court- hell, probably in all Oregon! That sort of thing seems right up her alley.

Mister Wednesdays, the Lord Scrivener, he could help you too. Teaches Anthropology at the U of Portland: the Catholic school in University Park.

Of course, Oswald could help you too. He's not one of our NOBILITY, but he's a shrink. Has an office downtown, if you care to visit. Probably should wait until morning, though: you look like shit right now."

>Visit Old Middy

>Visit Mister Wednesdays

>Visit Oswald

>Write-In
>>
>>1270088
>Visit Old Middy
Let's meet a witch
>>
>>1270088
>Visit Old Middy

Definitely want to be able to keep her on a list of contacts
>>
>>1270088
>>Visit Old Middy
>>
>>1270088
>visit old middy
This seems to be out of our league, we need to call in the big guns, and then keep the big guns and get rid of the small ones
>>
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>>1270091
>>1270102
>>1270225
>>1270278
You slip Conrad a five to rent one of the back rooms for the night, and roll out of bed the next day and head to the Northwest.

June 15th, 1977. Witch's Castle, Somewhere in Forest Park. 10 AM.

The overgrown stones of the Witch's Castle looms over your head as you walk up the forest trail. You can see why this old, abandoned house got it's name; the remote location of this ruin, combined with it's half-decayed state in which it continues to stand gives it an aura of occulted power.

You head into the bottom floor of the structure and start looking around for an entrance. Roll Wits + Investigation (3 dice)
>>
Rolled 9, 4, 5 = 18 (3d10)

>>1270330
>>
Rolled 8, 7, 5 = 20 (3d10)

>>1270330
>>
Rolled 2, 8, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>1270330

completing the set
>>
Rolled 4, 5, 10 = 19 (3d10)

>>1270330
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>1270445

Boom
>>
>>1270333
You sweep the Witch's Castle top to bottom, but to no avail. There's no sign of anything resembling an entrance anywhere-

"What d'you want?"

The creaky, elderly voice comes from directly behind you. You spin around to see an elderly woman, all twisted back, long nose, and snaggly teeth, like a fairy-tale hag.

>Old Middy?

>Jesus!

>I want to know what happens when one of us goes insane

>Write-In
>>
>>1270469
>I want to know what happens when one of us goes insane
(we are so out of our league here)
>>
>>1270474

"I want to know what happens when one of us goes insane."

Middy throws back her head and laughs- a horrible wet cackle that sounds like she's choking on a bone.

"What happens when we go mad? We lose ourselves to our story, that's what it means to go Mad! You forget you ever left Arcadia! Might as well be a hob, but more dangerous. No hope! No chance! Call the Ghûl! Put 'em out of their misery!"

>So there's no cure?

>The Ghûl?

>There's a Mad running around. His name's Jacob Rolfe. Help me, Grandma Middy.

>Write-In
>>
>>1270523
I think Jacob Rolfe has gone mad. (did we keep his jounral? if so show her)
>>
>>1270523
>The Ghûl?
>There's a Mad running around. His name's Jacob Rolfe. Help me, Grandma Middy.
>>
>>1270530
>>1270526
"The Ghûl? What's that?"

Middy gives you a twisted grin. "Never you mind, dearie. Just hope he never comes after you."

"Oh... kay. Listen, I think Jacob Rolfe has gone mad. Look." You hand the journal over to her. Gnarled hands quickly snatch it, and Middy starts looking through it, flipping through the pages while scanning them with her bulging red eye.

"Mmmm... mmmm.. hmmm..."

She throws the book over her shoulder. "Nope!"

"'Nope'?"

"He ain't one of us, no siree! Don't reckonize the name, sonny! I DO know what's happened to him though, ehehehehe..."

"...And?"

"Shant tell you, though. Jest say this: he's a human, right enough."

"Listen, Grandma Middy, I need to know this!"

"Do ye? Well... guess, then. You're a clever boy, Granny can tell. Figure it out. You should be able to get pretty close jest based on his diary."

>Guess (write-in)

>Damn you, old crone! Tell me!

>I don't have time to play your games. (Walk away)

>A woman's life is in danger! Do you have no heart?
>>
is the wife a fetch? if she is, how did she become pregnant?
>>
>>1270585
>Once upon a time, there was a valiant prince who lived in a magical tower, cast far away from his true love, as the clever hag bewitched her to think that manticores were cats and the prince was a madman, but she was wrong, said the wise seer, for you see, the princess WAS the clever hag, and her true self had been stolen away by the hag's magic, and if the prince was clever, he could get her back and live happily ever after.

Looking at this again I think you might be right, I could have sworn that we are able to see through Fetches masks though
>>
>>1270592
if she's a fetch and having a baby, this is really really really bad
>>
>>1270585
>>1270592
"The wife. She's a Fetch, isn't she?"

A gnarled hand slaps your face, and Middy laughs. "WRONG, silly boy! Fetches tain't got anything to do with this! Guess again!"
>>
>>1270599
>Guess
>Stop wasting my time!
>Leave
>Write-In
>>
>>1270624
I honestly have no idea, any one else?
>>
>>1270628
"Here's a hint: think. When did he start cracking up?"
>>
>>1270624
>Booster took a long, slow sip from his hip flask of contraband mineral water. "Close, 'Hector', but no xigar: there's someone out there, probably a malfunctioning syber, who's slinging overcharged sims."

Drugs or Hedge fruit, no idea how he got ahold of them but maybe he was looking for a creativity boost
>>
>>1270637
>The pain, the doubt, the need for something to numb the pain: I don't need it when I'm with her!

This is another hint as well I think, not sure what the something to numb the pain is

>>1270632

Looks like his major break from reality came on Halloween and the proposal but he was calling her his princess on the 30th already
>>
>>1270624
>>Guess
>>
>>1270624
>>Stop wasting my time!
>>
>>1270637
"It must be drugs, then. No idea how he got them-"

SLAP

"EHEHHEHE!!!! More powerful than drugs, far more powerful! Oooh, and oh-so-hard to escape, too. So very, very hard. One last guess! Or maybe I could tell you, if you promise to give me something..."

>Guess

>Fine. What do you want?

>I'm done playing games with you, witch.

>Write-In
>>
>>1270700
(note: I forgot this when writing up, much to my shame, but it's not Hedge Fruit, either)
>>
>>1270700
>>Fine. What do you want?
>>
>>1270700
>Guess

Shit, DREAMS someone has been getting in his dreams, that's what the Book of Many Tales was referring to when it said sims, simulations, someone has been running glamour charged dreams through his mind and overclocking the damn thing
>>
>>1270714
This makes sense. A changeling or some other fae creature associated with stories must have influenced his dreams and driven him mad.
>>
>>1270628
Since the madness started with a recurring dream about some Muse walking to him, maybe the Gentry or a mad Changeling?
>>
>>1270714
>>1270720
>>1270721
"... His dreams. Something's been messing with his drea-"

SLAP

"CORRECT! I was wondering when you'd add it all up! The poor soul's been dream-poisoned by the Lords and Ladies. Got his head spun all 'round, can't think straight, head full of the Gentry's sick, twisted nightmares."

She clucks her tongue. "Nothing else to do. You need to get in his head and cure him."

"What?!"

Middy glowers at you. "He ain't himself, boy. Everything he's doin' now is because the Shining Ones are tellin' him to. Trick him into a pledge to enter his dreams, sniff out the poison, and fix him. That's all there is to it."

>Can't you do it?

>Can't you help me?

>Fine, Granny. I need to know where he is.

>Write-In
>>
>>1270700
>>Guess
I'm seconding dreams.
>>
>>1270748
>Fine, Granny. I need to know where he is.
>>
>>1270748
>Fine, Granny. I need to know where he is.
>>
>>1270748
>Yes Lady Middy, we will cure Rolfe of his ailment. Track John Wolfe down.
>>
>>1270748
>Fine, Granny. I need to know where he is.

And do you have any advice for Dreamwalking, I've never done it before.
>>
>>1270748

>>1270802
Seconding this .
>>
>>1270759
>>1270779
>>1270802
"Fine, Granny. I need to know where he liv-"

SLAP

"Ow! Stop DOING that!"

"Doing what?" Middy gives you an innocent look through her mismatched eyes.

"...Never mind."

"Anyways: the man thinks he's a fairy-tale hero out to save his lovely princess from a terrible hag. He's going to go somewhere that feels comfortable for him..." Middy shuffles around in the layers of multicolored coats and shawls that enshroud her body, eventually coming out with a brown bag.

"Which would be?..." the bag is suddenly shook in your face, and an overwhelming odor of peppermint invades your sinuses.

"Candy? Makes your teeth strong."

"Um... I suppose so..."

You pop one of the mints in your mouth: it's as creamy as buttermint and freezes your mouth.

"Well, deary... ever heard of a place called Fairyland? I imagine you might not- you seem like a nice young man, and wouldn't go to such a place... but he might, if he's so confused. And, well, I hope he doesn't end up... out of sorts there. It's downstairs from the "Art gallery" in Belmont- not that'd you know it, of course, THOSE sorts of places tend to not advertise very much."

"Thank you, Granny. Er... can you give me any advice on dreamwalking? I've never done it before."

Granny brightens up. "Oh, why din't you say so? Well, then: give him this." She pulls a blue apple from the depths of her shawl. "Cut a little bit off and eat it yourself once he's done."

"Thank you, Granny."

>Head to Fairyland right away

>Do something else first (write-in)
>>
>>1270850
>Head to Fairyland right away

He's already murdered a couple of folks, we should probably get ahead of this
>>
>>1270850
>Head to Fairyland right away
>>
>>1270850
>Head to Fairyland right away
>>
>>1270852
>>1270863
Fairyland Gentleman's Club. Belmont. 12 PM.

The bouncer at the door eyes you up and down. "Yeah, you aren't getting in."

"What are you talking about? I NEED to get in, I have a friend in there, and I think he's in danger!"

The bouncer laughs, a short, harsh sound.
"Honey, your clothes stink, you stink, and the only thing anyone's in danger of in here is having a good time." He flicks a wrist at you. "Now scram, sugar. Don't make me get nasty."

>(Intimidate): Let. Me. Through.

>(Burn off the Mask): Wrong call, mortal.

>(Punch him: optionally with Might of the Terrible Brute) Bad call, queer boy.

>Write-In
>>
>>1270901
>(Intimidate): Let. Me. Through.
>>
>>1270901
>Write-In

"Look I won't bother no one inside and if my friend is the way I think he is you don't want him inside any longer than you have to, he's dangerous. All I am asking you is to look away for a moment."

Bribe him 40 dollars.
>>
>>1270901
>>Write-In
>"Look I won't bother no one inside and if my friend is the way I think he is you don't want him inside any longer than you have to, he's dangerous. All I am asking you is to look away for a moment."
>Bribe him 40 dollars.
>>
>>1270918
>>1270930
Switching my vote to this, good idea fellas, money talks
>>
>>1270934

Hopefully it talks enough, hence why I went for a fair amount, our persuasion isn't the best
>>
>>1270918
>>1270930
>>1270934
"Look, I'm not gonna bother no one, and my friend- he's real messed up, might hurt someone. All I'm askin is, y'know: look away for a sec." You pull a pair of 20's out of your coat and press it into his shirt pocket. The bouncer's stony face doesn't shift, but he opens the door for you.

The inside of this place is sparsely decorated: the only tribute to fashion is a few cardboard cutouts of towers, dragons, and shirtless, muscular knights. A couple of male dancers are up on the central stage barely dressed, their Adonic physiques earning the approval of the crowd. You start scanning for Rolfe:

Roll Wits + Composure -2 (2 dice). Optional: Activate a Contract.
>>
Rolled 5, 10 = 15 (2d10)

>>1270962
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1270980
boom
>>
Rolled 9, 3 = 12 (2d10)

>>1270962
>>
Rolled 7, 4 = 11 (2d10)

>>1270962
>>
Rolled 1, 10 = 11 (2d10)

>>1270962
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1271000

Boom
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1271003

Shockwave
>>
>>1271000
>>1271003
>>1271007
You spot a frantic man with filthy hair and some kind of filth-stained ruff prop stumbling towards the restrooms. You tail him into them.

The restrooms are a pig-sty of graffiti, discarded needles, and obvious signs of illicit hookups. Rolfe is currently staring into a mirror with glazed, blood-shot eyes. "Mirror, mirror, on the wall? Who's the prettiest of them all?! Ha..."

He wheels around and locks eyes on you. "Ah! Yes, yes, the wise old seer! I came to the forest to look for you, yes! I come bearing a gift!"

He digs into a pocket and pulls out three paper bags, which he throws towards you one-at-a-time. You pluck them deftly out of the air.

"Rubies from the hall of the Goblin King, gold from far-off Araby, and the Diamonds of the Troll Prince! Now, answer my questions!"

>(Subterfuge/Expression): Ah, yes, of course, young prince. I know all, I see all. Ask me your questions.

>(Intimidate)You think this is a worthy offering to a mighty seer such as I?! I have no desire for baubles and trinkets!

>(Persuasion): Listen, Jacob. You aren't well. Your mind's been poisoned. I can help you, but only if you let me.

>Write-In

Optional: look in the bags
>>
>>1271040
Let's look in the bags first
>>
>>1271040
>(Intimidate)You think this is a worthy offering to a mighty seer such as I?! I have no desire for baubles and trinkets!

This is our best chance for success and he needs to be listening to us
>>
>>1271048

Actually changing to this first
>>
>>1271040
Look in the bags
>>
>>1271048
>>1271081
>>1271096
The first bag has a plastic necklace with red glass gems in it. The second has chocolate coins. the third has... some kind of crystals you can't identify, but they are DEFINITELY not diamonds.

>(Subterfuge/Expression): Ah, yes, of course, young prince. I know all, I see all. Ask me your questions.

>(Intimidate)You think this is a worthy offering to a mighty seer such as I?! I have no desire for baubles and trinkets!

>(Persuasion): Listen, Jacob. You aren't well. Your mind's been poisoned. I can help you, but only if you let me.

>Write-In
>>
>>1271106


>(Intimidate)You think this is a worthy offering to a mighty seer such as I?! I have no desire for baubles and trinkets!

Is this situation valid for viridian embrace's catch?
>>
>>1271142
Nope.
>>
>>1271106
>(Subterfuge/Expression): Ah, yes, of course, young prince. I know all, I see all. Ask me your questions.

Let's pump him for info a little, might help us once we're inside his mind, 3 dice isn't a bad chance and we still have those 2 re-rolls from using the Book right?
>>
Rolled 6, 9, 5 = 20 (3d10)

>>1271151

Forgot the roll
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 5 = 16 (3d10)

>>1271154
Rolling for continuity.
>>
Rolled 3, 6, 2 = 11 (3d10)

>>1271106
>>
Rolled 4, 5 = 9 (2d10)

>>1271154
"Ah, yes, of course, young prince. I see all, I know all. Ask me your three questions."

The prince stares at you...
>>
>>1271287
"First, I need to know how to slay the vile demons that protect the Hag Queen. Second, how to slay the Queen herself. And third, how to free my Princess from her clutches!"


>(Intimidate): YOU SEEK A FOOL'S ERRAND, PRINCE. TURN BACK NOW.

>(Subterfuge): The first is simple. Just take a bite of this magic fruit: it shall purify your soul.

>Write-In
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 5 = 19 (3d10)

>>1271290
>(Subterfuge): The first is simple. Just take a bite of this magic fruit: it shall purify your soul.

Let's keep this gentle, hopefully the less resistance from him the easier the trip into his mind will be
>>
>>1271290
>(Subterfuge): The first is simple. Just take a bite of this magic fruit: it shall purify your soul.
>>
Rolled 3 (1d10)

>>1271349

Boom
>>
Rolled 3, 10, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>1271365
>>1271290
Shit, no dice.
>>
Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>1271372
BOOM
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 2 = 13 (3d10)

>>1271290
>>(Subterfuge): The first is simple. Just take a bite of this magic fruit: it shall purify your soul.
>>
Rolled 6, 7, 5 = 18 (3d10)

>>1271290
>>
Rolled 9, 8 = 17 (2d10)

>>1271372
>>1271376
You produce the blue apple. "The first is simple. Just take a bite of this magic fruit: it shall purify your soul."

Rolfe stares at the fruit...
>>
>>1271458
And shakes his head. "No, no, NO! This is all WRONG! Not a fruit, not a fruit!! You... you're the Hag, in disguise! But I won't fall for your tricks, for I know your true name!"

>Well, I tried. (Attack)

>(Force-feed him the fruit) Shh... shh.... just swallow...

>(Intimidate) THAT'S RIGHT, 'TIS I, THE HAG! AND I'LL STRIP THE MEAT FROM YOUR BONES, HEHEHEHE!

>Write-In
>>
>>1271465
>>Write-In
I'm not the hag, on the contrary, I'm looking for a partner to kill her. Since you know her true name, say it, it won't have any effect on me and it will help me in my quest if I know it, too.
>>
>>1271465
>(Force-feed him the fruit) Shh... shh.... just swallow...
>>
>>1271478

this is good, if it doesn't work we force feed it
>>
>>1271478
>>1271494
"I'm not the hag, on the contrary, I'm looking for someone to help kill her."

"DON'T TRY TO TRICK ME, HAG! I know how the story goes! I know how ALL the stories go! You gave me the poison apple, which means you're the wicked witch! HAVE AT THEE!"

Rolfe reaches towards his coat.

>(Attack) Bad call, buddy.

> (Force-feed him) Look, I know this sucks, but you'll thank me later!

>Write-In
>>
>>1271507
>Force feed him
>>
>>1271507
>>Write-In
No, the poison apple is the red one that looks unrealistically tasty. This one is blue, it opens your eyes and tells the truth.
>>
>>1271507
>> (Force-feed him) Look, I know this sucks, but you'll thank me later!
>>
>>1271507
>(Force-feed him) Look, I know this sucks, but you'll thank me later!
>>
>>1271511
>>1271516
>>1271520
Roll Strength + Dexterity (6 dice). Spend 1 point of glamour (5 points remaining) to gain 9-again. Spend Willpower to gain +3 dice. Must get 3 or more successes.
>>
Rolled 10, 1, 3, 2, 1, 1, 7, 9, 2 = 36 (9d10)

>>1271530
spend will
>>
Rolled 10, 5, 2, 5, 2, 10, 8, 8, 3 = 53 (9d10)

>>1271530
spend both
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1271539
>>
Rolled 5, 6 = 11 (2d10)

>>1271544
booms
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 7, 7, 10, 1, 1, 10, 3 = 47 (9d10)

>>1271530

Spend both
>>
Rolled 9, 3 = 12 (2d10)

>>1271563

Boom
>>
Rolled 2 (1d10)

>>1271567

Shockwave
>>
>>1271544
>>1271547
You grab his mouth and shove the slice you meant to eat into it, and start manually forcing him to chew.

"I'm sorry, but trust me, you'll thank me for this... that's right... just swallow."

You feel Rolfe go limp in your arms.

>Eat the rest of the fruit.

>Take Rolfe into a back alley.

>Write-In
>>
>>1271530
Spend both, we really don't want to fail this roll
>>
>>1271578
>Take Rolfe into a back alley.

Don't want to do this in the bathroom
>>
>>1271578
>>Take Rolfe into a back alley.
>>
>>1271578
>>Take Rolfe into a back alley.
Don't want to be disturbed while sleeping on the toilet.

>>1271581
The roll already succeded 9 minutes ago.
>>
>>1271578
>Eat the rest of the fruit.
>>
>>1271585
Forgot to refresh the page.
Do we really want to carry him around in that state considering our current look?
>>
>>1271609
We could pass it off as us carrying a friend who passed out drunk
>>
>>1271609

That's easy enough, just claim he's PTFO and we're getting out of here, no one will stop us on the way out because it saves them the trouuble
>>
>>1271609
Two people sleeping in the bathroom of a club is more strange.
>>
>>1271626
Less strange in a seedy gay club in the 70's.

>>1271585
>>1271584
>>1271583
You drag Rolfe out towards the back alley. The bouncer shakes his head as you pass him.

"Damn. He OD?"

"He just had a bit too much to drink. Sorry."

"Yeah, I see that a lot. You take care of him, y'hear honey?"

"Yeah, sure."

You lay him down in the back alley and take a bite out of the fruit. It tastes... well, like nothing, really. Sort of damp and-
>>
>>1271638
-lemony.

You're standing in a dusty, musty library hall. You... can't quite read the cover of the books. You see Rolfe- significantly better-dressed- digging through a pile of books.

"No... no... oh, God, where is it? Where IS it??? I need it... Can't finish my thesis..."

You know you're in a dream, and somewhere, out there, is the poison eating away at Rolfe's mind. You walk towards one of the walls, and... FOLD it away from you. You walk through the rippling into Rolfe's dreamscape.

Roll Wits + Empathy + Wyrd (3 dice) to search the Jacob Rolfe's dreams. May spend Willpower to add +3 dice.
>>
Rolled 7, 6, 5, 6, 5, 7 = 36 (6d10)

>>1271680
will soend

how much left?
>>
>>1271682
2 left, I believe.
>>
Rolled 8, 3, 4 = 15 (3d10)

>>1271680
>>
Rolled 8, 6, 7 = 21 (3d10)

>>1271680
>>
Rolled 4, 6, 5 = 15 (3d10)

>>1271694
>>1271698
Finishing out the set.
>>
>>1271698
You walk through rippling, half-formed seas of memories and figments, feeling around in them for-

You FEEL it before you see it, the pressure-waves of unreality issuing off of it like ripples off of a shark. Black ink starts pouring out of the books in the endless, ever-shifting hallway and pours into the shape of a vaguely human-shaped storm of nouns, verbs, adjectives, and articles. A voice like the scratching of ten thousand pens rolls out from it towards you.

"I n t e r e s t i n g. W h y a r e y o u d o i n g t h i s ?"

>Wake up

>Run

>Attack

>Answer (write-in)
>>
>>1271810
>Answer (write-in)

Every good story needs to end. And I am here to facilitate that ending.
>>
>>1271859
oh clever, seconded
>>
>>1271859

I'll support this simply because I'm paralised by fear that this is a Gentry manifestation
>>
>>1271867
oh it totaly is and im freaking the fuck out
>>
>>1271859
I like how you think
>>
Rolled 4, 2, 10 = 16 (3d10)

>>1271859
>>1271865
>>1271867
>>1271904
"Every good story needs to end. I'm here to facilitate that ending."

"O h i s t h a t r e a l l y y o u r m o t i v a t i o n ? L e t u s s e e . . ."

Gravity suddenly tilts ninety degrees, hurtling you down the corridor at an accelerating speed.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1271924
You hurtle down into a stack of books with a painful THUMP.
>>
>>1271944
You pick yourself up off of the floor, breathing heavily.

>1 Willpower lost

Letters rain out of the sky all around you, forming into three copies of itself.

"Tellthetruth."

"Tell the truth."
"T e l l t h e t r u t h"
>Answer him (Write-in)

>Run

>Try to wake up

>Attack

>Write-In
>>
>>1271979
>Answer him (Write-in)

"I am here because I was hired to be. By his fiance, she wants him back to normal."

Shit, thought that would go over better with the dream poison
>>
>>1271994
+1
>>
>>1271994
>>1272010
"Fine! I'm here because I was hired to be. This guy's fiance, she wants him back to normal! You understand that, you Faerie fuck?!"

"Ahyestheoldstorythemaidenwhowishesforherloverscursetobebrokenbuttheproblemisthatineedtofindacertainelementofminethatsgonemissinghesvitaltomyprojectiwillletthewritergoifyoutellmewhereheislostone."

"Ah, yes, the old story. The maiden who wishes for her lover's curse to be broken. But, the problem is that I need to find a certain element of mine that's gone missing. He's vital to my project. I will let the writer go if you tell me where he is, Lost one."

"A h y e s t h e o l d s t o r y t h e m a i d e n w h o w i s h e s f o r h e r l o v e r s c u r s e t o b e b r o k e n b u t t h e p r o b l e m i s t h a t I n e e d t o f i n d a c e r t a i n e l e m e n t o f m i n e t h a t s g o n e m i s s i n g h e s v i t a l t o m y p r o j e c t I w i l l l e t t h e w r i t e r g o i f y o u t e l l m e w h e r e h e i s l o s t o n e"

>How about you just get out of this guy's head, monster?

>...Who are you looking for?

>Get out of this man's head or I kill him

>Write-In
>>
>>1272078
>How about you just get out of this guy's head, monster?
Nope, nope. Not working with this thing.
>>
>>1272078
>...Who are you looking for?

To be clear, I am not selling out any mortal or Lost to the Gentry, we are not going down that dark ass road. But knowing who he's looking for means we can give the target a heads up
>>
>>1272100
Good idea. I'll support this.
>>
>>1272100
>>1272113
"...Who are you looking for?"

"thisone."

"This one."

"t h i s o n e"

The swirling cloud of letters suddenly SHIFTS into the image of a mannequin-like figure with... shockingly human eyes. You recognize it as Niko, the Legate of Mists who inducted you into the Autumn Court.

The silhouettes fold back into a cloud of letters and starts swirling around you.

"I S E N S E D T H A T ! Y O U H A V E S E E N H I M ! T E L L M E !"

>Fuck you. Get out of this man's head.

>Maybe I did, maybe I didn't.

>(Try to twist the dream) Yeah, and I'm not letting you get to him.

>Write-In

Optional: if you try to twist the dream, what do you try to do? The limits are up to your imagination.
>>
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323 KB JPG
>>1272145
>(Try to twist the dream) Yeah, and I'm not letting you get to him.
Optional: Pic related
>>
>>1272145
>Fuck you. Get out of this man's head.
>(Try to twist the dream)

Summon up some fast growing Rose Bushes into the dream, it's got Nature symbolism for us, protective thorns, Rose city symbolism and a lot of fairytale references, should be a strong environment for them
>>
>>1272184
Seconded
>>
>>1272184
>>1272187
Roll Wits + Empathy + Wyrd + 3 dice (total 6 dice). Willpower cannot be spent on this roll (you have one point left).
>>
Rolled 1, 5, 5, 10, 1, 2 = 24 (6d10)

>>1272238
Here goes nothing
>>
Rolled 7 (1d10)

>>1272245
Pop
>>
Rolled 10, 9, 8, 5, 3, 10 = 45 (6d10)

>>1272238
>>
Rolled 3, 8 = 11 (2d10)

>>1272254
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 4, 6, 6, 9 = 36 (6d10)

>>1272238
Finishing the set.
>>
Rolled 2, 10, 10, 3, 10, 4, 5, 3, 9 = 56 (9d10)

>>1272254
>>1272259
"Fuck you, Gentry. Get OUT of this man's HEAD!"

You reach out into the dream, and rose bushes start blossoming in the dream, strangling and stabbing the stacks of books with thorns, their blooms spraying pollen into the air. The storm around you chuckles.

"DO YOU REALLY THINK THAT WILL WORK? I AM THE WEAVER OF TRUTH AND LIES, THE FORGER OF HEROES, THE ARCHIVIST OF IMPOSSIBILITIES! I AM STORY!"

The storm of letters whirls faster.
>>
Rolled 10, 8, 1 = 19 (3d10)

>>1272321
You see the outlines of your roses start to FLICKER and BEND, with little drops of ink pulling off and flying into the storm.
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1272328
You gather your strength and begin pushing back against the typhoon of power that threatens to shatter the dream around you, focusing on the roses.
>>
>>1272321
>>1272328

Jesus Christ, that's a lot of successes
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 2, 7, 5, 4, 7 = 29 (7d10)

>>1272321
>>1272328
The roses fall apart, splintering into words and joining the storm.

"L O O K A T H O W E A S I L Y I D E C O N S T R U C T Y O U R T I R E D T R O P E N O W I T S Y O U R T U R N"

The typhoon of words forms into lashes which fly for your hands. Roll Dexterity + Athletics to dodge. May spend 1 glamour (5 left) to gain 9-again. Must beat above roll.
>>
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Rolled 1, 3, 2 = 6 (3d10)

>>1272352
>>
>>1272361
Dammit
>>
Rolled 5, 8, 1 = 14 (3d10)

>>1272352
>>
>>1272352
>>1272382
You dodge deftly out of the way.

"I W I L L C R U S H Y O U T O D U S T L I T T L E F L Y"

The words pour back into the books, and the walls start closing in on all sides...

>Try and twist the dream to escape

>Try and force yourself to wake up

>Write-In
>>
>>1272411
>Try and twist the dream to escape

Time to get 451 on this shit, summon a forest fire, a cleaning part of nature, one of rebirth and new beginnings
>>
>>1272411
>>1272449
Bradbury FTW!
>>
>>1272449
>>1272456
Roll 5 dice to dream-sculpt.
>>
Rolled 2, 2, 5, 8, 4 = 21 (5d10)

>>1272469
C'mon Montag, need a little help here buddy...
>>
>>1272469
>>
Rolled 8, 1, 9, 1, 5 = 24 (5d10)

>>1272482
>>
Rolled 3, 1, 2, 7, 9 = 22 (5d10)

>>1272469
>>
Rolled 2, 3, 8, 9, 1 = 23 (5d10)

>>1272469

Come on dice, Jerry needs to fuck up some Gentry
>>
>>1272471
>>1272485
>>1272516
>>1272517

20 dice, not a single 10
>>
>>1272485
You set the books on fire, words burning to ashes with a cheery yellow glow.

"N O !"

The library bulges, deforms, and explodes into a sea of ink. You now stand alone in an endless field of mist. Lying in front of you is a man with a quill in his neck.
You bend over and pull the quill out. It begins boiling and fades-
>>
>>1272526

SHOULD HAVE SET IT ON FIRE THE MOMEMT WE ENTERED
>>
>>1272531
God dammit, why did we try to be flashy?
>>
>>1272531
THAT'S WHAT I WAS SAYING!
>>
You awake in the side-alley behind Fairyland's building. The blue apple is nowhere to be seen. There IS, however, someone with their hand in your coat. You jerk up, and are confronted by a man in lots of black leather with his hair cut like some Indian brave, digging desperately around. He jerks his hand back as you stir.

"Shi- oh, good, you're alive. You looked pretty dea- hey, wait a minute. I recognize you! You're the guy I tried to mug, before-" his brow furrows- "something. Whatever. Now, I'm gonna get even."
Out flashes the switchblade.

>Hit him

>Can't we talk about this?

>Write-In
>>
>>1272548
>Can't we talk about this?
>>
>>1272548

>Hit him

Not in the mood for this bullshit, how many dice? And let's pop Might while were at it
>>
Rolled 9, 7, 4, 5, 1 = 26 (5d10)

>>1272562

For contract
>>
>>1272562
7. If you want to pop Might, that's 5 dice beforehand, with a +1 to the roll for each success.
>>
>>1272548
>Hit him
If this guy's destiny is to be our eternal mugger turned punching bag, so be it.
>>
Rolled 9, 6, 8, 5, 7, 5, 1 = 41 (7d10)

>>1272562

And if I remember correctly it's brawl+strength for punching
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 6, 8, 9 = 34 (5d10)

>>1272548
>>1272568
>>
Rolled 2, 8, 7, 9, 9, 3, 2, 1, 2 = 43 (9d10)

>>1272548
>>1272568
>>1272571
Now, all that added together=(hopefully) a hell of a swing
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1272570

One more d10 for the might success
>>
Rolled 7, 8, 7, 7, 7 = 36 (5d10)

>>1272548
Finishing out the set.
>>
Rolled 5, 1, 9, 3, 5, 5, 3, 8 = 39 (8d10)

>>1272585
>>
>>1272574
-And out flashes your fist. You hear the nose snap as you punch it, and the knife clatter to the ground as the mugger's hands go to the nose.
"Af! Fug! Oo Affhou! My nouf!"

"Don't have time for your shit, dumbass."

The mugger pulls a .22 from his pants and rises to his feet near the mouth of a side-alley.

"Thaf i', ur fuggin DEB-"

CRACK

The thug keels over as a figure strides out of the alleyway.

"Oh, dear. I do hope won't suffer undue brain damage from that. Here, my friend, let me help you up."

The man before you is dressed in a very fashionable shade of black, with white lace beneath making him look like a figure out of a Victorian period painting. His hair is raven-black, and you find it hard to deny the fact that he has a certain boyish good look to him. He finishes wiping a black cane's gold head of blood and extends his other hand down to you. You take it, uncertainly.

"Thanks, man."

"Oh, think nothing of it! I must confess that my rescue of you, while fortuitous on your behalf, was not motivated solely by altruism." He coughs nervously. "I happened to see you, downstairs, and, well... my curiosity simply MUST be sated. This may seem like a very odd question, but: are you a fairy?"

>You comin' on to me, pal? I don't swing that way.

>Like hell I am, gay boy!

>Maybe. What's it to you?

>Very perceptive. Yes, I am.

>Write-In
>>
>>1272629
>Im just a man, guy
>>
>>1272629
If I was why would I tell you?
>>
>>1272629
>Very perceptive. Yes, I am.
This guy did just do us a solid.
>>
>>1272629

Look man, I thank you kindly for the save but either I don't swing that way or that's a question you don't actually want to know the answer to.
>>
>>1272639
actually, change this to promise not to tell but yes
>>
>>1272629

How about, "How do you mean?" Let's clarify this first
>>
>>1272640
>>1272645
"Well, you have to promise not to tell anyone, but" you lean in conspiratorially- "Yeah, I am."

The man's eyes light up and he briefly claps his hands together with glee and gives off an effeminate squeak of excitement.

"Yee! I knew you were real! Once I saw that fruit bulging out of your pocket, I just KNEW you had to be a fairy. There- there must be more of you, right? A 'fairy underground', as it were, here in Portland?"
He leans in closer. "I want in. Listen, I have friends in high places. My father has a seat in city government, and I have- well, let's just say I have a generous allowance. I can make myself very useful. Just- just let me be part of your world."

He looks at you with pleading eyes.

>Fine. But you'll have to swear to me never to tell other people about the truth. And you'll owe me, big-time. Like, you'll have to help me out with stuff when I need it.

>Sorry, buddy. Can't do that.

>Write-In
>>
>>1272694
>>Fine. But you'll have to swear to me never to tell other people about the truth. And you'll owe me, big-time. Like, you'll have to help me out with stuff when I need it.
Also warn him about gentry and stuff
>>
>>1272694
>Sorry, buddy. Can't do that.
First of all, I'm a nobody in the Court, I'd be hung out to dry if I did that
Second, you don't want this. I don't care how bored, lonesome, or desperate you are, you do. not. want this. The Courts would tear you to shreds.
>>
>>1272694
>Write-In

Give me contact information, we'll see what my bosses think, if they go for it I'll be in touch
>>
>>1272704

That's a good idea, please add to mine

>>1272707

Until then don't mess with anything you think has to do with fae, there are monsters in the dark places.
>>
>>1272707
Seconding this. We can't be too careful with this kind of thing.
>>
>>1272707
>>1272717
Change mine to this
>>
>>1272707
>>1272717
>>1272721
"Listen... give me your contact information, I'll talk stuff over with my bosses. And until then: keep your head down. There's some dangerous shit out there, and you don't want to get tangled up in it."

"Oh, alright! I'm Micheal Wyndham, and... here is my card. Listen, my car's just parked outside, I have a home on Hayden Island, and you look like you could use a good meal and a hot bath. No strings attached!"

>Thanks, but no thanks.

>Give me a ride to this address (give him the Pecularium's address)

>Thanks a lot, Mike- can I call you Mike?

>Write-In
>>
>>1272763
>Thanks, but no thanks.
"I can make it home just fine. I'll call you if things go smoothly."
>>
>>1272763
>Thanks, but no thanks.
>>
>>1272778
>>1272781
"Thanks, but no thanks... my friend here could use some help, though." You jab a finger at Rolfe. "Take him home and tell his girl that he's all better now."

Micheal sighs. "Ah, fine. You have to preserve your privacy, after all."

Chapter 5: Dreamweaver COMPLETE. Chapter 6 starts tomorrow evening.
>>
>>1272815

Thanks for the run, see you then
>>
>>1272815

Thanks
>>
>>1272815
Thank you, Teller.
>>
>>1272830
>>1273470
>>1274143
CHAPTER 6


June 15th, 1977. The Peculiarium, Portland, Oregon/The Hedge. 3:00 PM.

Conrad looks up as the Pecularium's front doorbell rings. "So, how'd things go with Old Middy?"

>Good.

>She was helpful, but... strange.

>She's a bitch.

>Write-In
>>
>>1274637
>She was helpful, but... strange.
>>
>>1274637
>>She was helpful, but... strange.
>>
>>1274637
>She was helpful, but... strange.
>>
>>1274637
>She was helpful, but... strange.

"I got slapped a lot."
>>
>>1274659
>>1274660
>>1274662
>>1274670
"She was helpful, but... strange."

"Ha! More like halfway to being one of the Gentry, if you ask me, Went too far down the path. Glad to see you got everything sorted out." He squints at you. "Well, out with it."

"What?"

"You're looking at me like you want something. So, out with it."
"Err... you'd know this more than me. Is it... okay to bring... humans into... you know... this?"

Conrad sniffs through his nostrils: the closest the grey can get to snorting. "You're asking me that? Yeah, it's cool. Just make sure to put them on a leash. Pledge 'em to not yap about us, give them a taste of glam so they can see us, make 'em owe you so they work for you, and make sure to give their pledge a reasonable duration. Like the boy out front, the one who points you to the door when you walk through the normy part of the shop? I renew his pledge every month."

"Oh... is it that easy?"

"Yep. Easy and common. Most motlies have a couple pet humans."

"Well... that's a load off my mind."

"Anything else? Terry dropped in earlier, by-the-by. Wanted to let you know you should do your weekly visit in the next couple of days: he's got something to talk about with you."

>Yeah (Write-In)

>Head to Terry's

>Head to Micheal Wyndham's

>Follow Up on a Rumor

>Write-In
>>
>>1274701
>Head to Terry's
>>
>>1274701
>Head to Terry's
>>
>>1274701
>>Head to Terry's
>>
>>1274701
>Head to Terry's
>>
>>1274701
>Head to Terry's

before we go, ask where we can find Niko to warn him
>>
>>1274804
NO NO NO.
The gentry know we've met him, we dont want to accidently lead them to him. Just tell our boss that the Gentry are hunting Niko and that Niko should hide.
>>
>>1274707
>>1274711
>>1274713
>>1274718
>>1274804
"Yeah, one other thing, Conrad: you know where to find Niko?"

"Yeah. He lives in the broom closet of the Cathedral Park community center. Just be careful, he's a little... protective of privacy."
Pleasant Valley, SE Portland. 5:00 PM

You feel the gazes of the pedestrian traffic as you walk up the driveway towards Terry's house: a nice little ticky-tacky two-story throwup in the Pleasant Valley suburb. Terry opens the door at the first knock and draws you into a brotherly hug.

"EYY! What's shakin?"

You return the hug and step into the living room. "Some stuff, some stuff. How's the job hunt going?"

"Alright, alright. So, you got my message?"

"Yeah, what's up?"

"Well... it's Mary, really who put me up to this."

"Yeah."

You jump: you'll never get use to how Mary slips up behind you. She's making progress on letting others see her: today, she's just in a hoodie, sweatpants, and a scarf wrapped around her mouth and nose.

"What's up, buttercup?"

Mary's eyes wander around the room for a second.

"...I wanna make things official."

>What do you mean by that?

>Well... I can't exactly adopt you. Officially, you're Terry's kid.

>Write-In
>>
>>1274846
>Write-In

How do you mean? You know I'll do everything I can.
>>
>>1274846
>What do you mean by that?
>>
>>1274849
this
>>
>>1274846
>Other
"Do you mean legally or do you want me around more?"
>>
>>1274849
>>1274856
>>1274859
>>1274860
"How do you mean? You know I'll do everything I can."

"... I wanna be part of a motley."
She looks at Terry and you.

>Oh, is that it? Conrad told me the wording. Let's do this.

>I'm not sure the two of you should bind your fates with me.

>Write-In
>>
>>1274872
>Oh, is that it? Conrad told me the wording. Let's do this.
>>
>>1274872
>Oh, is that it? Conrad told me the wording. Let's do this.
There seems to be no reason why we shouldn't do this. Unless Mary is some type of mad genius that plans to use us as man servants.
>>
>>1274872
>Oh, is that it? Conrad told me the wording. Let's do this.

This all lines up pretty well as well with the human dude we need to indoctrinate
>>
>>1274872
>>Oh, is that it? Conrad told me the wording. Let's do this.
As long as Terry is fine with it that is
>>
>>1274872
>>Oh, is that it? Conrad told me the wording. Let's do this.
>>
>>1274877
>>1274885
>>1274890
>>1274898
>>1274908
Choose a 3 or 4-dot merit to gain through your motley blessing. Universal merits can be found here: http://wodcodex.com/wiki/Merits,_Universal_(1st_Edition)

Changeling Merits can be found here: http://wodcodex.com/wiki/Merits,_Changeling_(1st_Edition)

You may put points into a Hollow according to the guidelines here: http://wodcodex.com/wiki/Merits,_Locations_(1st_Edition)
>>
>>1274924
New identity 4 sounds good but how would that work?
>>
>>1274924
Oh fuck this is complex
>>
>>1274940
The Wyrd will provide.
>>
>>1274944
Does everyone in the motley receive the merit?
>>
>>1274940

I don't think we should invest in a new identity, these blessings are reflected across the entire motley, Mary and Terry both have a new one in the first place that allows them to have a place to live and for her to go to school, and as a homeless man having a new identity doesn't seem like a huge advantage.

Personally, I would vote for a 3-4 dot animal companion, would be useful to have some extra eyes about and a way to convey messages to each other without having to travel ourselves. Plus with having magic who knows who useful they can become. The reason I say 3-4 is because if we can do so we should invest a dot into a Hollow as well.
>>
>>1274953
Yeah, Terry and Mary don't need new identities, and having something that can watch our back while we go out alone in the wild would be great.
Plus our Animal Ken is decent.
>>
>>1274953
How does the hollow quality scale with dots? we could also spend more points on the hollow
>>
Hedgebeast Companion 3 dots
>>
>>1274953
Well that sounds reasonable
>>
>>1274960

I would like to see some of the options available before deciding between the basic Animal Companion and the Hedge Beast companion.

>>1274959

As far as just Hollow goes, more dots will increase size, there is a separate category for Amenities that has to do with how well appointed it is
>>
>>1274974

we can start with a basic 1 amenities hollow that would be their current house and build upon it later with our points and Terry's
>>
>>1274977
>>1274974

Ok fellas, we have 16 points to spend on all categories, so let's start crunching
>>
>>1274984
I'd like to get hidden life 2 dots as well, seems useful for our character
>>
>>1274988
sorry I wasn't clear

it's 16 for the hollow and only one merit of 3 or 4 points from the other lists

what I propose

Hedgebeast 4

hollow: ward 5 (paranoid as fuck)
doors 3
ameni 3
ritual door 3
mobile 2
>>
>>1274949
Yes.

>>1274959
Complicated. Writing it up now.

>>1274993
To make this clear: you can only get 1 Merit from this: the Hollow stuff are treated as different "aspects" of the same Merit (Hollow)
>>
>>1274993
fucked up the ritual door, we need 5 doors before buying it...changing

Ward 5 (still paranoid)
doors 5
ritual door 3
ameni 2
mobile 1
>>
>>1274993

Hedgebeast caps at 3 which is why I would like to know the various companions before coming to a decision there, especially if we pick up the contract that allows us to talk to animals it would be good to get an animal within the category we chose

As far as Hollow goes we should definitely invest about 2-3 in size, 2-3 in Amenities, and then 2-3 in Doors, from there it's up for debate, the list doesn't look bad but dont forget we have to invest in size as a basic requirement
>>
>>1274998

Ah so we would have to pick up the Hollow merit in order to start distributing points
>>
>>1274999
what does mobile do? other wise im fine with this for hollow
>>
>>1275006

Mobile would mean being able to move it around
>>
Ok, so what do you anons think?

I'll propose a vote since we have to spend all points on one thing, I'll give some suggestions and we vote to get things moving

>hollow (safehouse)
>animal companion/hedge beast (to be decided species)
>retainer (officialise that human that wants to deal with us)
>write in
>>
>>1275020
Don't worry about Wyndham: you'll "get" him as a Retainer just by binding him with an oath.
>>
>>1275020
>animal companion/hedge beast (to be decided species)

We can already perform the oath with the human and bring him in with a regular oath, depending on how useful he turns out means we can invest point later

Hollow is the tougher one to pass up but we don't have a large motley or group we need to protect, Terry and Mary have both been keeping their heads down and have a place to stay, we can put this off I think while we still have access to Autumn Court resources, if we were still Courtless then there would be no question but since we do I see more immediate utility out of the companions
>>
>>1275020
>animal companion/hedge beast (to be decided species)
this seems like a useful thing to have, the other two are more or less taken care of for our motley
>>
>>1275020
>animal companion/hedge beast (to be decided species)

voting on it too, counting the IDs we need one more to settle it, unless we wait for 15 minutes and start discussing species
>>
>>1274998
How Hollows Scale:


Size:

0: It's basically a broom closet.
1: A small apartment, a cave, or a clearing in the woods, with one or two average rooms of space.
2: A large apartment, small family home, forested grove, or large-ish cavern, with 3 to 4 rooms.
3: a warehouse, church, large home, preserved tract, or cave system: equivalent to 5 to 8 rooms.
4: An abandoned mansion, small fortress, network of subway tunnels, cave network, or enclosed woods: equivalent to 9-15 rooms.
5: A sprawling treetop village, estate to rival a mortal robber baron, winding woods, or labyrinthine tunnel system: countless rooms and chambers
Amenities:

0: Hollow is barren: if a building, it's completely unfurnished. If a natural feature, it's wild and untamed.
1: Likely has good places to eat, sleep, and use the toilet, but likely doesn't have anything but the most basic food and drink on hand.
2: Comfortable enough to make a long-term home: may have a few minor magical touches.
3: Elaborate, with several diversions and useful minor tools.
4: Has many mundane touches and quite a few magical ones as well: very comfy.
5: More diversions than a theme park, every kind of imaginable mundane comfort, many lesser magic items, and possibly a few medial ones as well.

Doors:

0: One entrance/exit in the Hedge and the mortal world. Every dot adds one more entrance/exit either in the Hedge or the real world.


Wards: Every dot adds a -1 to unwanted visitors trying to gain access. May represent traps, wild hedge-beasts hostile to intruders that roam around the Hollow, inclement hedge-weather, etc.

Workshop: every dot gives you +1 to crafting tokens or conventional devices.

Archive: every dot covers a Faerie-related topic: you can research those topics in here with a significant bonus.

SPECIAL: Hob Kin (takes 2 dots): your Hollow comes with a "staff" of hobgoblins. Think of them as flat-mates: they help you out and vice versa to keep the Hollow functioning.
>>
>>1275054
My two cents as someone who's been on both sides of the GM screen with Changeling: Hollows are very valuable, regardless of whether or not you have a mortal life. When things get Wyrd (and they WILL), it's nice to be able to fall back to a position where it won't spill over to your mortal life.
>>
>>1275020
>animal companion/hedge beast (to be decided species)
>>
>>1275060
>>1275053

based on this advice I'll change my vote to hollow. and fuck everything up UAHuHAUHAu
>>
>>1275067
Screw it also changing to this
>>
>>1275067

We did ping something nasty last chapter and a place to hide will prove more usefull than a pooch
>>
>>1275067

Yeah I'll switch too

tfw animal companion is the new >phasing, useful and supported plenty but overshadowed by other options
>>
>>1275074
>>1275072
>>1275068
OK, now think of yourselves as Portland magic real state buyers, what do we want, where do we want it and how much are we willing to spend?

tfw there are no magical twins to find and renovate the place for us
>>
>>1275080
We need it relatively close to Mary's school while still being relatively accessible for terry
>>
>>1275080

I think a forest or cave system would be best for us, given our natural bent and hopefully it can still count for our catches, what was the school that Mary ended up getting into again?
>>
>>1275097
Sunrise High. Middle class public school with a special program for "troubled youth" (read: an on-site counselor). Located in Beaverton, a suburb town of Portland.
>>
>>1275091

So Mary's school is in the SW quadrant of Portland, I would vote for taking a piece of Washington Park for our Hollow space, it's close to a major highway and transit system so we can get around, still near to downtown and honestly close to the Autumn Courts major spots as well
>>
>>1275118
Seconded
>>
>>1275118
This works
>>
>>1275121
>>1275132

Alright my idea for point buy: 16 point
Size 3
Amenities 3
Doors 2
Wards 3
Workshop 3
and HedgeKin
>>
>>1275155
we could probably take one out of size and amenities in order to cap wards
>>
>>1275168

I would rather lose the Hedge kin and cap it that way, one of our characters driving motivation was to get a comfy slice of the world set aside for people that he cares about
>>
>>1275198
Size and amenities 2 seems comfy enough but on second thought I agree with you, I would rather drop hedge kin
>>
>>1275201

2 seems comfy enough obivously for us, but I sorta want to dote on our daughter and friend
>>
Can we upgrade our hollow later on?
>>
>>1275238
Yes.
>>
So, is
Size 3
Amenities 3

Doors 2

Wards 3

Workshop 3

Kosher with you guys? Ideas about where the doors will open? Fluff? Or would you like to leave that to me?
>>
>>1275271
I thought we were ditching the Hedgekin in favor of another point in Wards
>>
>>1275275
Whoops! Should be Wards 5.
>>
>>1275292
Okay good
>>
>>1275271
yeah im fine with this, you can handle the fluff better than most of us
>>
>>1275271

Have it up close to the Japanese Rose Gardens so that we can get some cool influence from there mixed with natural NW forest flavor is my vote but I lwave the exact specifications to you
>>
>>1274872
"Oh, is that it? Conrad told me the wording. Let's do this. If it's okay with you, of course", you add, looking over at Terry.

"I need friends, man. Don't make them easy. People say I come on too hard. So, you know, I'm down."

The three of you gather into a circle. You close your eyes and compose the oath:

"Arcadia has scarred us forever, marked us in a way no mortal can share. We are kin to each other, not by bloodline, but by our experience. Each of us are creatures that live in shadows, at the edge of society, we must rely on each other, for that is all we have. Let us, then, be brothers and sisters, sons and daughters, side-by-side until the end. Let us share our joys and sorrows, our rage and fear, as one. Let the Wyrd smile on our union in brotherhood, and bless us, and let it smite us should we turn our backs on each other. Let the shadows protect us, that we might grow strong in them. This I pledge."

"This I pledge."

"This I pledge."

The three of you stand around for a minute. Terry coughs. "So, when's something gonna-"

A loud THUD comes up from the basement, and you feel the crushing, overwhelming sensation that swearing an oath always makes you feel. Mary darts down the steps with a feral-sounding hiss and jerky, unnatural movements you've never seen from her.

She pokes her head up a minute later. "Dad, Uncle Terry! There's a hole in the basement!"

>Must be a sign.

>Does it look natural?

>Get back up here, Mary. Let us check it!

>Write-In
>>
>>1275387
>Does it look natural?
>>
>>1275387
>>Does it look natural?
>>
>>1275387
>Must be a sign.

>Does it look natural?
>>
>>1275387
Well what are we waiting for?
>>
>>1275387
>Must be a sign.
>Does it look natural?
>>
>>1275387
>Must be a sign.
>Does it look natural?
>>
>>1275396
>>1275397
>>1275398
>>1275400
>>1275404

"Must be a sign. Does it look natural, honey?"

"No. It's in the wall and it's all shiny like we are. It looks like it goes up."

Terry looks you askance. "Did that chain-smoking space case mention this?"

"He said the Wyrd would 'bless a true motley'. I guess this is the blessing."

You climb down into the basement. True to Mary's words, there's a hole in the basement, right next to the washing machine. It's large enough for even Terry to walk through easily, and is outlined by a complex set of scrawl that you vaguely recognize. You walk through, on guard.

The tunnel travels a short way forward and up before opening up into the surface. You find yourself standing in an overgrown railyard in the middle of the Hedge. Beautiful, high, twisting trees blossom in all directions, and you see something that, from a distance, look like gleaming ibises flying through the sky. You sense a... stillness coming out of the Hedge here, as if this place were an eddy in the river of unreality that this liminal realm was. A wooden bridge seems to run across a small pond towards a clump of Japanese-style buildings in a small grove. Even here, you can see a clear "limit" to this area: massive, tight-clumped bamboo grows in contours along the area, fencing you in. The area is about 400 meters across, from the railyard on your end (which seems to be the only break in the bamboo wall) to the back of the housing. You turn around, and see that the small tunnel seems to actually be a shipping container, minus doors and filled with dirt: you can make out characters in an alien script on the side. The whole scene is lit in the gentle pinks and purples of late twilight.

Mary comes scrambling up out of the tunnel. "... What is this place?"

>My new home.

>A safe place, in case you feel threatened.

>I think Conrad said they're called "Hollows". They're... stable places in the Hedge.

>Write-In
>>
>>1275463
>A safe place, in case you feel threatened.
>I think Conrad said they're called "Hollows". They're... stable places in the Hedge.
>>
>>1275463
>>A safe place, in case you feel threatened.
>>I think Conrad said they're called "Hollows". They're... stable places in the Hedge.
>>
>>1275463
The symbols, for reference.
>>
>>1275463
>>A safe place, in case you feel threatened.
>>I think Conrad said they're called "Hollows". They're... stable places in the Hedge.
>>
>>1275463
>A safe place, in case you feel threatened.
>I think Conrad said they're called "Hollows". They're... stable places in the Hedge.
>>
>>1275463
>My new home.
>>A safe place, in case you feel threatened.
>>I think Conrad said they're called "Hollows". They're... stable places in the Hedge.
>>
>>1275468
>>1275471
>>1275490
>>1275492
"It's a safe place, in case you feel like you're in danger and Terry and I aren't around. It's called a Hollow. It's somewhere where the Hedge is stable and secure. Most of them are made by the Lost, or so Conrad told me. Wonder who made this one..."

"I like it. It's not bright."

An hour later, you finish examining the Hollow. You note that it's divided into, essentially, two areas, separated by what you thought was a pond, but which turned out to be a slow-flowing river moving through the bamboo.

One bank is home to what looks like the ruins of an abandoned goblin railyard, with towers and offices left in a state of disrepair. A quick poke-around in the cars left shows that they are loaded down with a variety of esoteric products (one, which Mary accurately labeled the "snack car", is full of sugary drinks, snacks, and candies.), some of which bear a stamp in an impossible color that reads "IMPORT FROM ARCADIA". A quick walk down the rails on your behalf confirms that it leads out into the Hedge; the rails leading into an area on the border of the Old Town and the part of the urbanized Hedge known as the Compass Quarter (you've asked Conrad about this area and its residents: he keeps dodging the question, muttering something about how the area "Isn't for our sort").

The other bank houses a beautiful three-room cabin and small garden done up in the Japanese style. A sliding door joined into the Hollow wall opens out into a clump of bamboo in the Japanese Gardens in the West Hills. A couple of boats are moored on a small dock accessible from the bank: you took one downriver and ended up paddling through a languid river somewhere in the Floodwood. Mary has already taken to this place, and, in a display of whimsy, named it Nightshroud, after the fact that the light seems to be eternally trapped in the purple tones of the sky just after sunset.

You crack open a bottle of what proclaims to be "Mineral Lemonade" (made by BRCM TRADING CO.) and consider your situation.


>There's still plenty of strange things you could poke your nose into: maybe you should follow up on a rumor.

>Micheal Wyndham's been green-lit for being "brought into your world". He seems like a useful guy. On the other hand, his eagerness is a bit off-putting. Maybe you should drop in and interview him...

>Nico's Keeper seems to be hot on his tail. He needs to know. Should you go talk to him?

>You feel drained, and you think you spotted some cast-off blankets and pillows in one of the cars. Maybe you should take today off...

>Write-In
>>
>>1275519
>Nico's Keeper seems to be hot on his tail. He needs to know. Should you go talk to him?
>>
>>1275519
>Nico's Keeper seems to be hot on his tail. He needs to know. Should you go talk to him?
He's been good to us. He deserves a warning, at least.
>>
>>1275519
>Micheal Wyndham's been green-lit for being "brought into your world". He seems like a useful guy. On the other hand, his eagerness is a bit off-putting. Maybe you should drop in and interview him...

>Write-in

Do not physically meet with Nico, not for a while, just to be safe. Do set up a deaddrop message or get him something through the grapevine, give him the whole spiel on how the scenario played out, any hint can help and he might notice something we don't
>>
>>1275538
Yeah, this works better. Word guy might still be tailing us, somehow.
>>
>>1275519
>Nico's Keeper seems to be hot on his tail. He needs to know. Should you go talk to him?
Possibly stupid question, but what is the "Legate of Mists"?
>>
>>1275541
Autumn Court's diplomat. It's their job to know what's going on in the internal politics of the other three Courts, so that the Autumn Court doesn't get blindsided.
>>
>>1275538
changing to this if plausible, a quick and dirty warning would probably work better for now
>>
>>1275538
>>1275540
>>1275544
You write down a message to Nico in your journal, tear it out, and then walk back into the real world, where Terry's busy standing by the washing machine. You hand it to him along with $3.

"Give this to Conrad and tell him to get one of the goblins to deliver it to Nico. The money's for the handling fee."

Terry gives you a look. "How about I just give it to Nico?"

"I'm not sure if that's safe. Nico... might be in trouble due to something I did."

"What're you talking about, man?"

>I can't get into it, but please, just do this for me.

>I'll tell you later, but right now, I need to head to Hayden Island, see about getting us some help.

>Well... (explain it to him)

>Write-In
>>
>>1275558
>I'll tell you later, but right now, I need to head to Hayden Island, see about getting us some help.
>>
>>1275558
>I'll tell you later, but right now, I need to head to Hayden Island, see about getting us some help.
>>
>>1275558
>I'll tell you later, but right now, I need to head to Hayden Island, see about getting us some help.
>>
>>1275558
>I'll tell you later, but right now, I need to head to Hayden Island, see about getting us some help.
>>
>>1275559
>>1275564
>>1275567
>>1275569
"Listen, I'll tell you later, but I've got a meeting to attend right now. I'm trying to get us some connections."

"Okay, man. But this better not end up with you trying to dodge me."


Hayden Island, NW Portland. 8:00 PM.

Micheal Wyndham lives in a manor. An actual goddamn manor. The thing's three stories tall and half a block wide, done in an imitation of the Victorian style. You walk up to it with the acute feeling that you're out of place.

Your banging on the knocker is answered by a butler, who, after you show your card to him as evidence that you aren't a random beggar who should be thrown to the curb, shows you up to Micheal's study. Here, you find him hunched over a typewriter, hair falling over his eyes, his fingers flying on the keys like a man trying to exorcise his deepest demons by trapping them in pulp and ink. He's still wearing the same clothes you saw him in yesterday, although they're considerably more disheveled now. He looks up as the butler exits the room, closing the door behind him.

"Ah! Jerry! Apologies, you've just caught me in the middle of some composing; I'm a poet, you see. So, so good to see you again, my friend! I trust that I've been approved?! Oh, but where are my manners? Let me take your coat and pour you some vermouth."

>You're in, Micheal. Just repeat after me.

>Micheal... we need to talk.

>The Courts are okay with it, but I want to get to know you a little better first, before I agree to anything.

>Write-In
>>
>>1275581
>>You're in, Micheal. Just repeat after me.
He wants to learn, we will show him our world for a time. If what he sees scares him, well it's not really our problem he was curious. Grown ass men can make there own choices, yes.
>>
>>1275581
>What did you do to that guy in the alley?
Then
>You're in, Micheal. Just repeat after me.
>>
>>1275581
>You're in, Micheal. Just repeat after me.
>>1275597
he just hit the guy over the head with a cane
>>
>>1275597
this
>>
>>1275599
>>1275600
never mind
>You're in, Micheal. Just repeat after me.
>>
>>1275599
No, I meant Rolfe
>>
>>1275614

He dropped him off at his house with his wife, speaking of have we collected our first payment or are they both going be delivered once the baby is born and has cried?

Also I can't help but feel paranoid after this many references to writing, ink, paper, and stories. Placing bets now on this dude somehow being a manifestation of the dream poison we expelled from Rolfe's head. Still though

>The Courts are okay with it, but I want to get to know you a little better first, before I agree to anything.
>>
>>1275581
>The Courts are okay with it, but I want to get to know you a little better first, before I agree to anything.
>>
>>1275581
>The Courts are okay with it, but I want to get to know you a little better first, before I agree to anything.
>>
>>1275581
>>The Courts are okay with it, but ... there are some prerequisites that have to be answered first.
Option 3 sounds like "I don't trust you enough yet. My wording is essentially option 3 (info first, initiation later) but with a different source for the questions. Like we trust him but there are rules about this that we have no power over.
>>
>>1275628
>>1275629
>>1275670
>>1275707
"Well, my superiors are okay with it, but I want to get to know you a little better first, before I agree to anything."

"Oh! Oh, that's completely understandable! Well, what do you want to know?"

>What can you bring to the table?

>Why do you want this?

>Who... are you, exactly?

>Write-In
>>
>>1275798
>What can you bring to the table?

>Why do you want this?

>Are you sure? I get that you're a grown man and all but this... world im a part of isn't a game
>>
>>1275798
>>What can you bring to the table?
>>Why do you want this?
>>
>>1275807
"Well, first off... what can you offer me? I don't mean to sound predatory, but if you want to be part of this, I'll need something from you."

"Well, I have a quite broad base of knowledge and experience, a great deal of disposable income, and my family has connections in the city government, which I suspect may benefit you personally. I'd also like to think I have a winning personality."

You jot something down in your notebook.
"Alright. Now, why do you want this?"

"Well... all my life, I've felt... rudderless. Like I'm just... stumbling blindly through a dark room, uncertain of my destiny. I've tried writing, sex, drugs; none of it filled the void. But your world, your world of wonder and amazement: THAT fills me up. I would to anything- ANYTHING- to be a part of it."

>Well, I think that you're a good fit.

>Sorry, you don't seem like a good option.

>Write-In
>>
>>1275848
>Well, I think that you're a good fit.
>>
>>1275850
>>1275848
and i assume the deal is limited to a month or so, just in case this goes south we can cut ties
>>
>>1275848
>>Well, I think that you're a good fit.
>>
>>1275856
Yep. There's a lifelong version, but that's not for a trial period. (Also, about to hit the road. See y'all in a few hours)
>>
>>1275848
>Well, I think that you're a good fit.

Trial period at least, we could certainly use the resources
>>
>>1275848
>Well, I think that you're a good fit.
>>
>>1275848
>>Well, I think that you're a good fit.
>>
>>1276102
>>1275850
>>1275857
>>1276412
>>1276423
"Okay. Swear on your true name that you aren't gonna blab about the world you're entering and that you'll do me a favor for my aid. In exchange, you'll get to be part of our world for one month. Clear?"

Micheal nods: "I, Micheal Trevor Wyndham, swear I shall never tell a soul about what I shall see, and that I will aid you, fairy."

"Good."

You feel the pull of the Oath run between you, and glamour bleed out of you and into Micheal. The Gothic poet's eyes glow brilliant amber for a few seconds, then fade back to their ordinary hue.

"Oh... this is... you. are. incredible! Those scars... how did you acquire them? All that moss and bloom in your hair and beard! Marvelous! You must be one of the old men of the woods! I... I must apologize on behalf of all mankind for the rape of your precious woodland, which so desecrated this gorgeous wilderness."

You're feeling drained: you have no Willpower and 3 Glamour left.

>(Intimidate): You should feel guilty, mortal. And now you will pay.

>It's... nothing, really. I'm fine with it.

>... Oh boy. You don't get it, do you?

>Write-In
>>
>>1276476
>>... Oh boy. You don't get it, do you?
>>
>>1276476
>... Oh boy. You don't get it, do you?
You fool, I was human.
>>
>>1276476
>... Oh boy. You don't get it, do you?
>>
>>1276480
>>1276487
>>1276495
You pinch the bridge of your nose. "Oh boy. You don't get it, do you? I used to be human."

Micheal stops. "You... were human?"

"Yep."

"So... it's possible for a human to become a fairy?"
Naked hunger gleams in his eyes.

>Kind of. It's random, no way to predict it.

>Yeah, but trust me: it's fucked-up.

>Maybe, maybe not. Serve me faithfully, and we'll see...

>Write-In
>>
>>1276509
>Yeah, but trust me: it's fucked-up.
>>
>>1276509
>Yeah, but trust me: it's fucked-up.
Guess we'd better tell him, huh? Last thing we want is him throwing himself into the Hedge
>>
>>1276509
>It's not something you can control, and trust me, it's fucked-up. Once you get settled, I can tell you more about it though
>>
>>1276514
>>1276519
>>1276521
"Yeah, but trust me: it's fucked-up, and you don't want it to happen to you. You lose so much more than you gain."

Micheal's eyes dim. "Oh... well, I suppose life isn't always fair or ideal. So... what is it that you actually do?"

>Well, I'm low on glam at the moment, so I need to feed. Drop me off in a dark alleyway.

>Well, I've got some stuff I need to investigate. You can help me out with that (investigate rumor)

>Right now? You're getting me some food and letting me have that bath and rest in a bed you mentioned.

>Write-In
>>
>>1276542
>Well, I'm low on glam at the moment, so I need to feed.
I say we go to the Peculiarium. Good place to feed and help explain everything to Micheal.
>>
>>1276542
>>Well, I've got some stuff I need to investigate. You can help me out with that (investigate rumor)

Let's use his influence and social status to nvestigate a rumor trhat we cannot
>>
>>1276609
how about this one: -There's an art gallery on the intersection of 7th and Main that sells unsettling sculptures of some kind of goblins. They're producing more than strictly seems possible. Maybe there's some kind of angle on this.

we can evaluate how useful he can be while we rest for the day on our new hollow, it's been some time that we don't laze around with mary and terry
>>
>>1276623
and when I say laze around I mean following our lazy nature to recover willpower
>>
>>1276542
>Well, I've got some stuff I need to investigate. You can help me out with that (investigate rumor)

The art gallery would be perfect for this, five him a bit of a better break down and let him know that he'll just be going undercover and looking for clues. His eyes are opened to this world now and he would be better accepted there as a customer than we would
>>
>>1276609
>>1276713
"Well, I've got some stuff that needs doing for my Court. Listen, there's an art gallery on the intersection of Seventh and Main-"

"Oh, the one that produces those lovely surrealist sculptures!"

"Yeah. Those statues?: they're of fairies. One less nice than my sort of people, probably. And that place seems to be moving more sculptures then there are customers. Look, I look like a raggedy piece of shit, they'll probably throw me out, but you're loaded. I want you to poke around in there and tell me what you see."

"Ah... anything in particular you want me to look for?"

"Anything out of the ordinary. You seem to have a talent for that."

"Alright, then! Shall you be coming with me, or staying here? I purchased a statue second-hand from that gallery, actually: a friend of the family had me over for dinner, and I just HAD to have it, so I offered him three thousand on the spot! Maybe you could examine that while I'm out?"

>Go with him and wait outside.

>Stay and check out the statue.

>Stay and lay back.

>Write-In
>>
>>1276737
>Stay and check out the statue.

Let's give it a look and then catch a nap
>>
>>1276737
This >>1276746
>>
>>1276746
yup
>>
>>1276737
>>Stay and check out the statue.
>>
>>1276746
>>1276749
>>1276764
"Go on and get out there, Micheal. I'll take a look at your statue."

As Micheal heads out the door, you start wandering around the manor, looking for signs of this statue. After a few minutes of prying, you locate it in a study, on top of a short bookshelf. The sculpture is of a leering, bulbous-nosed goblin eating a round fruit of some kind, his overall manner and positioning mocking Rodin's Thinker. You give it a brief glance, then head to a guest bedroom, take a nice, hot shower, and then fling yourself into the bed and fall asleep.


You awaken a few hours later, refreshed. You cast your eyes at the clock. 11:00 PM. If Wyndham was back, you're certain you'd have heard from him by now.

>Go back to sleep

>Head for the art gallery

>Write-In
>>
>>1276906
>Head for the art gallery
Yeeeep he's in over his head. Did we get a willpower point back?
>>
>>1276908
Two, in fact.
>>
>>1276906
>Head for the art gallery
>>
>>1276906
>>Head for the art gallery
>>
>>1276906
>Head for the art gallery
>>
>>1276906
>>Head for the art gallery
>>
>>1276908
>>1276911
>>1276912
>>1276999
>>1277012
Ancient Visions Art Gallery: 12:30 AM

You stand outside of the art gallery, staring at the cavorting imps and mischevious daemons captured in stone within. The lights on the front are off, and the doors are locked, but you can see light shining out from a back room.

>(Chance dice: try and pick the lock)

>(Strength + Brawl (7 dice); 4 successes needed): Try and smash the front door down with a brick.

>(Wits + Investigation: 3 dice) Look around for another way in

>Write-In
>>
>>1277070
>>(Wits + Investigation: 3 dice) Look around for another way in
>>
Rolled 7, 2, 4 = 13 (3d10)

>>1277070
>(Wits + Investigation: 3 dice) Look around for another way in
>>
Rolled 1, 6, 10 = 17 (3d10)

>>1277070
>(Wits + Investigation: 3 dice) Look around for another way in
>>
Rolled 10, 6, 2 = 18 (3d10)

>>1277070
>>(Wits + Investigation: 3 dice) Look around for another way in
>>
>>1277088
splodan
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1277091
explo
>>
Rolled 6 (1d10)

>>1277094
god damn mobile
>>
Rolled 4 (1d10)

>>1277095
and again
>>
>>1277091
>>1277095
>>1277097
You walk around the building to see if it has- and it does! A service entrance is positioned behind the building: trying it finds it unlocked. You push the door open as quietly as possible, and catch a snatch of conversation:

"-ake people, then, and change them? Really. Quite interesting. Now, if you would kindly elaborate on that point-"

It's Micheal. The voice seems to be coming from a door forward and to the left of this darkened, hollow room.

>(Wits + Dexterity: 4 dice) Move quietly through the darkened room.

>Turn on the nearby light-switch.

>Call out to Micheal.

>Write-In
>>
>>1277132
>>Turn on the nearby light-switch.
>>
Rolled 8, 7, 10, 5 = 30 (4d10)

>>1277132
>>(Wits + Dexterity: 4 dice) Move quietly through the darkened room.
>>
Rolled 1, 3, 10, 6 = 20 (4d10)

>>1277132
>(Wits + Dexterity: 4 dice) Move quietly through the darkened room.
>>
Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1277150
kboing

let's try to not get on his way, he's trying to prove himself
>>
Rolled 9 (1d10)

>>1277151
another one
>>
Rolled 6, 5, 2, 2 = 15 (4d10)

>>1277132
>(Wits + Dexterity: 4 dice) Move quietly through the darkened room.
i'll finish the set
>>
>>1277150
>>1277152
You cautiously pick your way through the darkened room, your feet occasionally brushing against hammers, chisels, or flecks of stone. All the while, you listen to their conversation:

"They... take us, and then they fuck us up, okay, man?! Look, you think I WANT to be like this?! I hate it! I mean, I'm glad I have new subject matter, but it's not worth being a freakshow!"

"I don't see you as a freakshow. In fact, I think you're quite beautiful..."

"Then you need help, buddy. I'm a goddamn fish."

"Yes, about that-"

"I'M NOT GONNA TALK ABOUT IT, HOW MANY TIMES DO I HAVE TO TELL YOU?!?"

"Well... that's a shame. And here I thought we could get along without me reporting you to the Courts..."

"Wait. The Courts are looking into me?"

"Quite. It seems your art has drawn the wrong sort of attention. Now, I'm new at this, I don't know how it works, but I'm certain your people's prisons are a lot nastier than ours, so unless you 'spill the beans', as it were, I may have no choice but to tell the proper authorities about your... unseemly hobby?"

"... Fine, you bastard. I used to live in Cali. Was taking a dip in my own pool, when- blam!- suddenly I'm in the middle of this lake, and there's this big fucking monster pulling me down. Says that I violated some ancient law. Says I'm gonna serve him until my dying breath. Then he soaks me in this... filthy slime... oh, god...

I was an animal. I killed people, lots of people, and I didn't even think about it. I didn't even know my name. Then, one day, I'm coming out of the swamp to kill these people, and I see this kid- he's playing with a Mickey Mouse doll, no idea where he got it in that place, but he had it- and I loved that cartoon, Steamboat Willie? It's what made me interested in art, way back when I was a kid. So then, all of a sudden, I'm me again, and I tear ass out of that nightmare."

"And what happened after?"

You're right on the door now.

>Go through

>Wait and listen

>Write-In
>>
>>1277226
>>Wait and listen
>>
>>1277226
>Wait and listen
>>
>>1277226
>Wait and listen
>>
>>1277226
>>Wait and listen
>>
>>1277226
>>Wait and listen

calling it now, this guy will want to attackt a gentry to become fairy, just wait and see (/paranoid)
>>
>>1277243
>>1277245
>>1277277
>>1277368
>>1278047
(Sorry for the gap, signal where I am ATM is wonky as hell)

"Well, then I stumble out of a reservoir in Kentucky ass-naked and soaking wet, and I find out I've been gone for a decade. I get some clothes, start hitching- eventually, I build a new life for myself. Now, I do my goblins. It's an alright gig. Look, I've told you everything, okay?"

"I trust that you have. Very well. Your little indiscretions are safe with me. I'll tell my superior that you're harmless; and, well, that's true to an extent, isn't it?"

You hear footsteps, coming toward the door.

>(Wits + Stealth: 5 dice) Hide.

>Announce yourself

>Write-In
>>
>>1278053
>>Announce yourself

Very well, you passed your first test

let's give him the impression we are allways watching
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 8, 4, 9 = 29 (5d10)

>>1278059
>http://pastebin.com/2a3H84FR


wait wait wait, let's not make that, the rumor said that they were producing to many to be possible and we haven't discovered why is that.

we have to see how he does it and my money says its something umpleasant

changing to >(Wits + Stealth: 5 dice) Hide.
>>
Rolled 5, 3, 3, 6, 2 = 19 (5d10)

>>1278053
>(Wits + Stealth: 5 dice) Hide.
>>
Rolled 5, 5, 3, 5, 4 = 22 (5d10)

>>1278053
>>(Wits + Stealth: 5 dice) Hide.
>>
Rolled 5, 4, 1, 9, 3 = 22 (5d10)

>>1278053
>(Wits + Stealth: 5 dice) Hide.
>>
Rolled 9, 8, 1, 2, 1, 3 = 24 (6d10)

>>1278062
You duck behind a nearby object as the door swings open and a hand flips on the lights. You see that you're standing behind an unshaped column of marble; Micheal is coming out of the door, a strange, fish-headed fellow tailing behind him.
>>
Rolled 3, 10, 9, 1, 1 = 24 (5d10)

>>1278526
The two of them pass you by as Micheal walks to the back door and lets himself out. The fish-man closes the door behind him, then heads for a side-door in the studio.
>>
Rolled 10 (1d10)

>>1278543
As you move around the column to get out of view of him, you accidentally kick a brush lying on the floor. The fish-man starts and looks around...
>>
>>1278547
The fish-man spies the corner of your jacket sticking out around the column before you can pull it back. "Who's there?! Come out! I'm armed, and I'll call the police!"

>(Intimidate) Judgement has come for you.

>(Step out): Autumn Court. You must be Courtless, right?

>(Harden Mask, then step out): Alright, alright, fair cop, my son. I was just lookin' for a place to keep out of the rain.

>Say nothing

>Write-In

Optional: Activate a Contract. You have 2 Willpower and 3 Glamour left.
>>
>>1278574
>(Intimidate) Judgement has come for you.
>>
>>1278574
>(Step out): Autumn Court. You must be Courtless, right?
>>
>>1278574
>>(Step out): Autumn Court. You must be Courtless, right?
>>
>>1278574
>(Step out): Autumn Court. You must be Courtless, right?
>>
>>1278574
>(Harden Mask, then step out): Alright, alright, fair cop, my son. I was just lookin' for a place to keep out of the rain.
>>
>>1278574
>(Step out): Autumn Court. You must be Courtless, right?
>>
>>1278590
>>1278612
>>1278637
>>1278733
You step out from the shadows. "I'm with the Autumn Court. You must be Courtless, right?"

"Yeah, so what if I am?! Ain't no law against it! Look, you're on my private property, without my invitation; I'm giving you 30 seconds to leave before I call the cops!"

>(Intimidate): You're far beyond the point where the police can help you.

>Fine, fine! I'm leaving.

>Not before you show me how you're making so many statues, chum.

>Write-In
>>
>>1278767
>>Fine, fine! I'm leaving.
>>
>>1278767
>Not before you show me how you're making so many statues, chum.
>>
>>1278767
>Not before you show me how you're making so many statues, chum
>>
>>1278767
>Not before you show me how you're making so many statues, chum.
>>
>>1278767
>>Not before you show me how you're making so many statues, chum.
>>
>>1278782
>>1278795
>>1278888
>>1278920
"Not before you show me how you're making so many statues, chum."

The piscine Lost's eyes swivel in his skull. "I don't know what you're talking about! And even if I did, my methods aren't Court business! Now, I'm gonna call the cops, and you're going to get the FUCK out of my gallery!"


>(Subterfuge) I'm not here to tell on you. I want in on your racket, whatever it is.

>(Intimidate): Try and call the cops, and you'll be dead before you can pick up the phone.

>(Intimidate): (Punch the nearest statue as hard as you can)

>(Intimidate): You aren't making a very smart decision here, little fish. The Autumn Court doesn't like to be denied.

>Fine, I'm out.

>Write-In
>>
>>1278937
>>(Intimidate): Try and call the cops, and you'll be dead before you can pick up the phone.
>>
>>1278937
>(Intimidate): Try and call the cops, and you'll be dead before you can pick up the phone.
>>
Rolled 7, 2, 2, 9, 9, 10 = 39 (6d10)

>>1278940
>>1278952
Roll Presence + Intimidate (5 dice). No explosions. May use a point of Willpower to add 3 dice. Must beat above result.
>>
Rolled 5 (1d10)

>>1278982
Explosion for above result.
>>
Rolled 4, 10, 7, 3, 5 = 29 (5d10)

>>1278982
>>
Rolled 8, 3, 10, 8, 9, 7, 2, 9 = 56 (8d10)

>>1278982
beating 3 successes? spend willpower
>>
Rolled 5, 6, 6, 5, 5 = 27 (5d10)

>>1278982
>>
Rolled 8 (1d10)

>>1278982
>>
Rolled 5, 10, 3, 1 = 19 (4d10)

>>1279056
oops
>>
>>1278995
"If you try and call the cops, you'll be dead before you pick up the phone."

The Courtless stranger stops in his tracks. "You... oh, fuck, you mean that, don't you?"

"Now. How. Do. You. Make. The. Statues."

"I-it's-look, it's goblins, okay! I only make some of 'em, the rests all goblins, I got 'em in the cellar, please don't kill me, I wouldn't hurt anyone!"

>Is that all?

>(Intimidate) If you're holding out on me, I'll gut you and serve you to the Horned King.

>Show me.

>Write-In
>>
>>1279090
>(Intimidate) If you're holding out on me, I'll gut you and serve you to the Horned King.
>>
>>1279090
>>Show me.
>>
>>1279090
>>Show me.
>>
>>1279090
>>Show me.
>>
>>1279175
>>1279181
>>1279195
"Show me."

"Alright, alright. Just... come this way."

The fish-man leads you down a small flight of stairs and towards a locked-and-bolted door with a slide-hatch. He undoes the bolt with shaking hands and opens the lock.

You see a dusty, moldy cell-space, with a quartet of goblins (their forms like those of hobbled shoemaker-elves) playing cards at the center of a table. Brass chains run from their ankles to an iron ring hanging off the far wall.

"Caught them trying to eat the dust from my work six months ago. They're fast as blazes at sculpting, and they don't need more than the dust as payment.'

You did notice that the floor was unusually clean upstairs for a sculptor's workshop.

>This is slavery. Let them go.

>Well, that's that mystery solved. If no Lost or mortals are being hurt, there's no problem.

>Interesting. I shall let the Autumn Court know of this. Good evening.

>Write-In
>>
>>1279259
>>Well, that's that mystery solved. If no Lost or mortals are being hurt, there's no problem.
>>
>>1279259
>Interesting. I shall let the Autumn Court know of this. Good evening.
>>
>>1279259


If dust is payment why are them in chains? revert bak to previous option

>(Intimidate) If you're holding out on me, I'll gut you and serve you to the Horned King.
>>
>>1279259
>Well, that's that mystery solved. If no Lost or mortals are being hurt, there's no problem.
Unless of course you're hiding something from me
>>
>>1279281
I should point out that I'm not ok about doing this with them because that's basically what THEM do to us
>>
>>1279308

of course, save from the obvious differences in suffering
>>
>>1279262
>>1279286
"Well, that's that mystery solved. If you aren't hurting mortals or Lost, there's no problem."

The fish-man slumps, the nervous tension that was clearly filling him up until then draining out all at once. "Oh, thank GOD. Look... just tell the Courts that I'm a straight shooter, I don't want any trouble, if they just let me do my thing I'll keep my head down. Alright?"

"Alright."

You head out the back door into the night

CHAPTER SIX: BLOOD BROTHERS COMPLETE.
>>
>>1279395


>>1279480
A brief interlude to build character, then back into the thick of things.




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