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| Case #1: Tilden, NE | |
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| Tweet Topic Started: May 6 2010, 08:17 PM (5,199 Views) | |
| dhorn | Jul 25 2010, 08:53 AM Post #101 |
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Ellen - there is silence on the other end of the call for a moment. "Sadie ran into some... shall we say... trouble. I've been trying to help her out but there is no way she'll make it down to Tilden. As for Xavier, I haven't a clue as to why he didn't show. I'll look into it. Until I have more information for you, please carry on with the investigation. I am sorry that I'm not there to help, but there is nothing I can do." Ellen - unless you have more to discuss with Chester, that is the end of the conversation and we'll move on. Let me know. Otherwise we shall fast forward to after Marcus' date. **** Marcus, the small-town librarian turns out to be a quite interesting woman. You pick her up as planned and the two of you hit the A&W drive in for dinner. It's fun and informal - very unlike the types of date your used to at expensive restaurants, sipping fine wines - instead it's a burger and cola. There is a lot of laughter and a definite connection is made between the two of you. The conversation covers all kinds of topics including - jazz music, world travels (Jill has spent a considerable amount of time overseas - including South America and Europe), religious belief (Jill is an atheist), pets (she has an American Bulldog named 'Butch'), etc. The date goes well and rather than waiting for you to make a move, Jill plants a big ol' kiss on your lips when you drop her off at her place. She asks you to make sure to call her before you leave town after your job is over and then she disappears into her house. Marcus - if there was anything specific that you wanted to discuss or bring up on the date, go ahead and we'll get that out of the way before moving on. **** Vargas, eventually you convince Ellen to grab a bite at a local restaurant. **** All - post up any additional conversations, thoughts, or actions prior to a late night rendez vous to discuss the case back at the motel. When you're ready, jump into the late night meeting to go over your progress on the case. You've been provided with some obvious (and not so obvious) clues that could help you with your investigation. Run with it. |
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| Lunarmage | Jul 26 2010, 03:17 AM Post #102 |
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Marcus enjoys his time with Jill, Never having been to an actual A&W before. As the date winds down he doesn't want to spoil the evening with talk of work. So he heads back to his room with a happy feeling and a smile on his face. He checks Ellen's room to see if she is in, if she is then Marcus knocks and tells her that he has a name of someone who checked out the only book in town on the occult. "Bobby Halls. A Study of the Occult, by Lord Alfred Russell has been checked out once in the last year and it is currently over due.If someone wanted to make a serial murder look like it was done by the 'supernatural', then perhaps this book was what helped them". |
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| Arthotus | Jul 26 2010, 05:24 AM Post #103 |
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"I still need to do a lot more asking around before anything will become clear. All I found was a drunkard, and a pianist...although the kid was helpful." He pauses before conttinuing, and just before you think he isn't going to say anymore, he continues, "I believe we should look into the church and church goers. Also, I'll be picking up some protection. I'm confindent we have something here that actually requires our attention. I pretty much think people have already decided what's wrong though, so anything we find is liable to fall on deaf ears." He chuckled quietly thinking to himself, "But i'm not really in on this to save people." Edited by Arthotus, Jul 26 2010, 05:24 AM.
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| Lunarmage | Jul 28 2010, 12:19 PM Post #104 |
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"Could you perhaps elaborate upon the term 'protection', I would rather not have you bring an anti-tank weapon into this little town". |
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| Arthotus | Jul 31 2010, 06:41 PM Post #105 |
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Vinny thought momentarily about the idea, but shook his head. "There's few extra-ordinary creatures that would be affected by an anti tank weapon. I was thinking more along the lines of holy water, and maybe some holy symbols. As I said, I need to do more research before I can warrant anything expensive or specific." |
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| Lunarmage | Aug 29 2010, 03:03 PM Post #106 |
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Marcus raises an eyebrow and shakes his head. "Riiiight. Well you do that and tell me when the ghost busters get here. I want Bill Murray's autograph". |
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| dhorn | Aug 29 2010, 03:13 PM Post #107 |
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Tilden: Day 2 Saturday, March 20, 2010 0630 Vargas and Marcus, morning comes early as the small town of Tilden begins a new day. The two of you meet in the lobby to take advantage of the free continental breakfast - coffee, orange juice and locally make pastries. Ellen joins you as well, though she looks horrible - like she hasn't slept a wink all night. She tries to drink a little juice but immediately feels sick to her stomach. "It's probably just food poisoning" she says. Vargas, given the quality of the Chinese buffet that the two of you ate at last night, you are inclined to agree. Ellen decides that it will be better for her to try and get some rest this morning while the two of you continue the investigation without her. "I'll catch up with you later" she says before leaving to return to her room. Vargas and Marcus - what is the plan? Anna, you arrive in Tilden early in the morning to begin an investigation of your own. Only a week ago, you received an envelope in the mail containing a few news clippings, a plane ticket to Lincoln, Nebraska and $1,500 in cash. The news clippings contained information regarding a series of brutal slayings in this sleepy little town. The envelope also included a request that you visit Tilden and write a piece on the murders, the possible connection to the occult, and the outcome of the legal proceedings against Bernhard Robertson. Two things about the assignment raise some concern for you. First, there is no name or return address associated with the envelope. In other words, you don't know who you are working for. Secondly... well, let's just say the final instruction makes you a little uncomfortable. But, the money is right. In fact, there is a second disbursement of $1,500 promised at the completion of your report. You show up in Tilden and check into the dumpy little motel as instructed. Anna - what are you doing? |
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| Arthotus | Aug 29 2010, 04:14 PM Post #108 |
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Vargus wipes his mouth, "I'm going to go do some research on the church. All the victims went there, and the crimes are related to religion. What about you?" |
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| Lunarmage | Aug 29 2010, 04:29 PM Post #109 |
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Marcus nods to Ellen. "The A&W isn't going to poison you, I would recommend there for dinner. I have a lead on a book that was taken from the library that hasn't been returned in almost a year". Marcus finishes his breakfast. Wanting to know something more about this book, and needing some internet access, and it would probably be the library that would be the only place in this little town that would have it, Marcus goes to the library when it opens to hop online and see if there isn't anything online about the book. (I am going to assume that a simple Google of the book and authors name will suffice) |
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| Snikers | Aug 30 2010, 07:41 AM Post #110 |
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Exiting the intercity bus that brought her from Lincoln to Tilden, Anna takes a deep breath of the crisp, 6 a.m. air and looks around. Wide-open streets, low skyline, quiet atmosphere - it had been a while since she'd last been in a small town like this. She should feel happy for the familiar atmosphere, but knows it's only going to work against her. Everyone knows each other in a place like this, she thought to herself. I stick out like broccoli on a kid's dinner plate. The thought of food made her stomach grumble. Stopping at a nearby gas station, Anna buys a chocolate bar and a map of the town, nestling the latter into her much-abused polyester shoulder bag next to her camera and notebook. From there, it's not a long walk to the motel to check in. Socks off and cross-legged on the bed in her cheap room, Anna lays the collected news clippings out in front of her and opens her notebook to a fresh page. She'd read them before, of course, but it never hurts to review. "Sloppy," she breathes softly, wrinkling her nose at the poor journalism and obvious bias, ranging from the possibly-excusable-given-his-criminal-background "dangerous" in the Nebraska State Paper to the "evil" and "demonic" of smaller, less professional papers. There were a lot of articles; however had hired her for the job had done their homework. There were even clippings of the original disappearances, photocopied onto crisp white paper with dates marked off ot the side. Six months ago, she thinks. I'd still be with the rag, then. It was certainly their kind of story. The ritualistic symbols were a nice touch, though given Anna's amateur knowledge of such things, it was hard to verify whether they were in any way legitimate. Photos of the crime scenes would be best, but of course they were unavailable to the papers; the best she could do was to struggle with the clippings' sensationalistic descriptions and any illustrations that may accompany them. She frowns in concentration, finally coming to a decision about the markings. (Recognize Wards/Runes/Circles 29% [1d100] = 14 Pass!) She looks down at her notes, glumly aware of the fact that she has no names. Probably underaged victims, she thinks sadly. Nonetheless, she would need names if she wanted a story. Taking a pen to the map, she circles the locations of city hall and the local church. There'd have to be a newsletter at one of them, and it may slip the names of the deceased. After a moment of thought, she marked the local graveyard, too. She should still be able to pick out the latest grave. Paper-clipping the articles inside her notebook, she puts everything into her shoulderbag and exits her room. Maybe she can still get some of that free breakfast. |
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| dhorn | Sep 1 2010, 04:50 PM Post #111 |
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Tilden: Day 2 Saturday, March 20, 2010 0715 Anna, when you hit the lobby for the free breakfast, you notice two men sitting in the corner engaged in conversation. Marcus and Vargas, the two of you notice a young asian-American women enter the lobby in search of coffee and muffins. ![]() Anna - I'll get a response to your successful Recognize Wards/Runes/Circles check shortly. Just wanted to get this post in now so the three of you can start interacting before Marcus heads off to the library. Marcus - the library doesn't open until 8am. Edited by dhorn, Sep 1 2010, 04:51 PM.
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| Snikers | Sep 2 2010, 07:41 AM Post #112 |
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For a moment, Marcus and Anna's gazes meet on her way to the food table, and she gives him a brief but friendly smile. Something in the woman's hollow eyes and unironed clothes suggest a sort of animal hunger, borne out by her swift appropriation of a banana muffin and coffee. Retreating to a table of her own, she reaches into her bag and pulls out a battered, leather-bound notebook. Unceremoniously downing mouthfuls of coffee-soaked muffin, she briefly flips through pages festively adorned with differently coloured paper clips, photographs and news clippings. After a moment checking the contents of her notebook, she closes it, slipping it back into her shoulderbag as she stands and tosses her trash into the bin. She keeps her eye on the pair in the corner as she plucks a cup of orange juice from the refreshments table. Not bothering to sit down, she drains it before moving up towards Marcus and Vargas's table. "Hi," she says warmly, as soon as the men pause their conversation. "You're not from around here, right? I'm Anna Li. Are you here for the Robertson case, too?" |
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| Lunarmage | Sep 2 2010, 10:05 AM Post #113 |
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Marcus only briefly acknowledges the woman before turning back to Vargus. "That sounds like a good idea. Religion seems to have some bearing on the case, and nothing like religion can move someone to serial killings like religion". When the young woman walks up Marcus gives a short look over. "You look like a reporter. I much like Sherman and Grant don't like reporters. You look for the story and don't care for what the effects of the story may have on other people". Marcus gets up and throws his trash away before leaving. |
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| Snikers | Sep 2 2010, 11:22 AM Post #114 |
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Anna watches Marcus leave, a disappointed frown on her lips, before sliding into the seat opposite from Vargus. "Well, he's half-right," she says, "I'm a journalist. But I'm not like those blood-suckers. I think Robertson is getting an unfair rap in the newspapers and I want to level the playing field. I'm also investigating the occult element to these murders - I think there's something here that's larger than one, uneducated man." She looks Vargus straight in the eyes. "You're not locals, and I saw you planning. You're obviously here for Robertson. I think we can help each other." Edited by Snikers, Sep 2 2010, 11:37 AM.
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| Arthotus | Sep 2 2010, 03:57 PM Post #115 |
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Vargus chuckles at the exchange between Marcus and Anna. "You're once again talking to the wrong man. I would have more use for you if you were a 'blood sucker' as you call them. I care nothing for the people involved in these cases. I simply wish to kill something that most don't believe exist." Vargus slowly and deliberately got up. "I do on the other hand, find the entire case ridiculously full of holes." He flipped his business card on the table. "I will share any information I have on the condition that you give me something that helps me bag my catch." He paused to allow her to ask anything she would and then followed Marcus. He wanted to catch whatever ride Marcus was, because walking was a pain. |
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| Snikers | Sep 2 2010, 08:21 PM Post #116 |
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Anna slips the card into her pocket. She can see the man doesn't have time to answer a lot of questions. "Do you have the names of the deceased?" |
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| Arthotus | Sep 5 2010, 03:03 PM Post #117 |
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(Sorry was at school and apparently didn't post what I told it to) Vargus nodded. "E-mail me and I'll send them to you. Good bye" he began to walk away, but paused turning back, "Watch how outspoken you are about the suspects innocence. Small towns and all that." As if it was self explanatory, Vargus chuckled and quickly caught up with Marcus. "Can I get a ride with you to the library?" |
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| Lunarmage | Sep 5 2010, 03:13 PM Post #118 |
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Marcus nods to Vargus and nods to the passenger side door. "Be careful closing the door. I have some very sensitive equipment in the back". |
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| Arthotus | Sep 5 2010, 03:27 PM Post #119 |
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Nodding, Vargus climbs in. |
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| Snikers | Sep 5 2010, 10:36 PM Post #120 |
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Anna's expression sours, about to ask why he can't just tell her right now, but the man turns on his heel and leaves before she can protest. Frowning, Anna leans back in her seat, thumbing the edges of her notebook. Well, back to plan A, she thinks. After double-checking the map for directions, she tucks her affairs into her shoulder bag and leaves the motel, walking in the direction of town hall. |
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| dhorn | Sep 6 2010, 07:50 AM Post #121 |
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[GM] Marcus and Vargas, you pull up in front of the library just as the doors open for business. Marcus, your Google search comes up with the following description of the book Study of the Occult by Lord Alfred Russell:
Marcus - what's next? Vargas - what are you doing? Anna - you arrive at the town hall. What do you do? |
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| Snikers | Sep 6 2010, 10:06 AM Post #122 |
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Anna strides confidently into the town hall - however small it may be for a town the size of Tilden - and looks around for something resembling a newsletter. She would have to start interviewing people sooner rather than later, but first, she'd prefer to glean whatever facts she could from background research. The names of the deceased, in particular, would make her future conversations a lot easier. Edited by Snikers, Sep 6 2010, 10:09 AM.
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| Arthotus | Sep 6 2010, 01:13 PM Post #123 |
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Vargus visits the local archive(I assumed they were at the library) and begins to look through the newspaper clippings for history on the church.He looks for anything even remotely related to the church, deaths and mysterious smoke. Research 87% (1d100=65) Pass Edited by Arthotus, Sep 6 2010, 02:55 PM.
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| Lunarmage | Sep 6 2010, 02:41 PM Post #124 |
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Marcus prints off the information and pays Jill for the paper, smiling at her. "I had a good time last night. Thank you. I have never been to an actual A&W before last night. If your free in the next couple days, I would like to see you again". |
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| dhorn | Sep 11 2010, 10:08 AM Post #125 |
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Marcus, Jill smiles at you. "I'd like that very much" she says in reference to your proposal for a second date. "Did you find what you needed on the book?" she asks very business like. However, before you can answer, your attention is drawn past Jill, out the large windows facing the street outside. You see a sizable group of people moving past the library in a very deliberate manner. Marcus - what do you do? Anna, you find a newsletter dated a week ago. There is a substantial amount of information on the recent murders (though names of the victims have been omitted) and a profile of the lone suspect - Bernhard Robertson. Other than that, the newsletter provides little by way of new information. However, there are dates listed for the 6 murders. "Hey! Check this out" says one of the town clerks pointing across the street at the police station. A group of about a dozen townsfolk have gathered in front of the building. There is a considerable amount of commotion and an overall feeling of confrontation. Some of the people are holding signs, though you cannot read them from your position across the street. A police officer emerges from the police station and begins talking with the apparent leader of the mob. Anna - what do you do? Vargas, you get right to work on the library's archives and find some interesting pieces of information: 1. There is some information regarding a series of slayings that took place in Tilden in the late 1930's. Thirteen young women were killed over a period of a year. Each of them virgins. Each of them killed on a full moon. 2. A man by the name of Leonard Miller was implicated in the murders but never faced trial. He was killed by a mob of angry townsfolk before the local authorities could turn him over to the state police. No one was charged in the man's death. 3. Transcripts of a single interview with Miller before his death documented his assertion that he was instructed to kill the young girls by a cloud of smoke and that he was promised immortality if he carried out the murders. He was disregarded as insane by the interviewing police officer. Vargas - what's next? |
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