|
Post by lilithsboy on Aug 2, 2019 9:05:21 GMT -5
Christopher moves quickly a wave of his hand brings out 3 books, an ancient greek lexicon, a huge book on herbs that looks as though it is better suited for practitioners of magic instead of healing, and Homers the Odessey. After a bit of considering Christopher moves to a section devoted to old and valuable books putting on gloves and unlocking a climate-controlled tinted case. He retrieves a well-preserved copy of The Bewitching Queen of Aeaea, which is now known as chapter 10 of the Odessey.
Taking the last he quickly moves to the middle of the room, searching through them in reverse order, looking for a spell or new clue.
********************************************
Witchcraft 6 to try and find what she wanted to tell him really.
|
|
|
Post by Janus on Aug 3, 2019 9:13:39 GMT -5
If it was a riddle it can only have had one answer. Circe, according to some a goddess of magic, to others an ancient Greek princess seduced and betrayed by the gods. What the truth may be is beyond the authors of those books but word in the magic community is that she is still around after thousands of years and just as dangerous as she ever was.
Rumour also has it that she had several run ins with the Meta human known as Wonder woman, none of them ending in her favour.
Captain Dyre seems to confirm Christopher's suspicions when her hand comes to rest on his shoulder.
"Circe was top of my suspect list before I heard the message." She says with a grave expression on her face. "Now we have this I'm more concerned than ever, but this is what we do. We need now more than ever to know what that item is and how it is protected. Will you let me go and see?"
Cerberus Starts wandering the house, searching for answers in his own unique way, the potion he took earlier definitely helps. There are a number of areas that he now gets a feel for though they too are hidden by illusion and mesmerism magic.
The first is slap bang in the middle of the entrance hall though from the feel of things the actual source is about a foot below the surface. The feel of it however is not pleasant. It is a guarding spell, mixed in with a whole load of other things, easily as complicated as the spell in the library, almost certainly more so. It feels hard and dark and watchful.
The next place he finds something is focused on a large mirror built into the wall in an upstairs bedroom. It too is protected by illusion and mesmerism and it to is complicated though less so than the library. It appears to be transportation magic of some sort. It is however linked to the spell in the hallway somehow.
In the time he has those are the only things he finds, but there are other things to find, of that he is certain.
|
|
|
Post by lilithsboy on Aug 3, 2019 10:42:59 GMT -5
I can show it to you without actually weakening the barrier more, but now more than ever I wish to call upon the aid of the Swamp Thing which once attacked Gotham. I believe he has the ability to create plants, he would now be useful in both this case and the issue with the city. If you prefer we not involve him then I will be going to speak with a Ms. Pamela Isley if I am eventually going to fight Circe then I need a rare herb.
On a side note Captain, my Grandmother was looking into a old form of magic one which is more powerful than any currently practiced, are you old enough to actually give instruction on this? If I will need to go up against an ancient witch queen goddess one might imagine that it would be useful to have that.
Christopher gets up from his desk and paces a small circle in the floor after a minute an illusionary duplicate of the thing downstairs manifest.
*************************** Mastery of magic 1 to create the illusion
Photographic memory for exact detail.
|
|
|
Post by Janus on Aug 14, 2019 10:39:02 GMT -5
Captain Dyre pulls out her mobile phone and apparently starts recording everything. For her many talents, it would seem a photographic memory was not among them.
"Merciful gods." She murmers, seemingly to herself. "She actually did it."
She only seems to be half listening to Christopher's question when he puts it. It takes her just that half a second long to respond than it might otherwise.
"Humm? Oh! Well, that, Mr Bradley is a much more complicated question than you might imagine. It isn't something 'just anyone' can learn. From what I know it requires a specific 'talent'. I had thought everyone with that talent had been wiped out centuries ago, and the entities that did the 'wiping out' still exist which is broadly what I am trying to protect you all from. How your grandmother managed to learn it, and learn it she most certain has, without being killed is no small mystery."
"I have to wonder if the trap she spoke about was the item, or what the item allowed her to learn."
She continues recording for a moment.
"As to Swamp Thing, if you think you can get answers or help go ahead. I'm sure I don't need to tell you to be careful. I have enough to go on for now but if there are forces out there trying to get that item even these wards will only hold them off for so long. So you might want to consider using the scroll I gave you. Also, I want a proper recording of the room at some point and access to the books on the tables. I might see something you missed. Someone female entered the room, that much is clear, they even appear to have interacted with the artifact. What became of them after that is less clear and as good as your recollection is I'd like to be thorough."
Cerberus continues his search through the house. Whoever wove these enchantments clearly had an eye for the classics. Enchanted mirrors are practically a cliche in magical circles so on a hunch he start looking and finds an enchantment at the back of the built in wardrobe in the master bedroom. An ancient looking oak contraption it looks like it should have gained sentience years ago but doesn't appear to have eaten anyone yet so Cerberus leave it in peace.
His next find is in the fireplace (again with the classics) of what would at one point have been a parlour. Basically a small living room area on the ground floor, what this enchantment is intended to do is beyond him but it is there.
The final enchantment he finds is in the wall of the wine cellar. All of these enchantment appear to be linked to the central one in the hall area and are protected by illusion and mentalism spells to make the difficult to spot.
It is as though the person who put them there wanted to keep everything as normal looking as possible without limiting themselves to actually being normal.
|
|
|
Post by Gris on Aug 18, 2019 5:46:49 GMT -5
Family matters were messy stuff, or so Mildred understood in passing as she wasn't much of a family woman, not anymore, but that was a tale of a long gone past. She did knew something better than anyone else in the room: Blood was indeed thicker than water, she understood that in a level no one else there could, and no oceans of space, time and wizardry could thwart bonds tied by the crimson essence of life. Only betrayals that cut deep could, feelings bitter enough to make blood curd. None of that was at play there, of course, so Mildred was happy enough leaving Christopher space to sort out his complicated stuff, not specially eager to get snapped at like the more involved Cerberus had been.
She wasn't eager to get turned into a pig, not that Mildred was particularly prone to cheese, honey or wine, but her gluttony could always be punished if the feast provided was Circe herself. She had never tasted a god after all, the temptation was there. Despite her willingness to leave her partner deal with her grandmother's riddles himself, it seemed that the whole ordeal was troubling the young man, so once more she was prone to help. After all, things were only getting more interesting, one of the reasons she was there.
"You know more or less what I can do" Mildred said, looking mainly at Christopher, but a not so subtle glance included Dyre in her words as well. "I may not be quite the hunter I was before" she lied, as even with a respite worth decades Mildred couldn't elude her very nature, "but if you need someone found or any of my other many talents used, I can help. For you or the city, either works" she shrugged, showing an open smile.
|
|
|
Post by lilithsboy on Aug 23, 2019 8:01:44 GMT -5
Nodding his head as the Captain speaks. Yes not everyone can do it, but you said that you thought those that had this 'talent' had been wiped out, which means you believe it is a bloodline trait... Such as my grandmother's bloodline. The fact of the matter is that trying to get her back, and the Gotham PD owes her at least that, will likely anger these beings to being with so might as well go all the way. If these things are also going to be coming for this anyway please understand I do not plan on holding back defending it, they have already come using lethal force I fully intend to be their equal it is up to you whether or not I do that untrained seemingly entirely up to you at this point. I can get you the books on the table as well as the recording, once I am sure it is safe.
He goes to gather his notes on swamp thing. You will find a rotary phone in the study down the hall to the left, it was apparently a front of my grandmother's but her rooms have been left untouched, and she enjoyed things which were antiques even before her time I am certain you will find yourself at home Mildred. You are probably uniquely suited to initially contact Abby, a woman who is seen as a monster by many but intends to use their ability for good. Call them, tell them Gotham has changed and that we are desperate for help in this matter. If he is unwilling then I believe he is too powerful to be forced but at least we can ask. Commissioner Gordon did work to get him released and change the law that might count for something.
You Cerberus and I are probably the best suited for tracking I need your help in this personal business as well, You know the decades which these rooms are decorated from, if you see something out of place please speak up.
|
|
|
Post by Janus on Sept 6, 2019 11:31:22 GMT -5
"Bloodlines were wiped out, but so were friends, colleagues, aquaintences and countrymen. They wiped out civilisations to get rid of this magic, so believe me Mr Bradley, if there were the remotest chance of me being able to teach you this type of magic, I would not be alive. The entities I was referring to are a group of Olympian God's and if you intend to be their equal you are going to need a few more years worth of training than you currently have. I am willing to help you where I can, but you don't have to be more powerful than something to get the better of it."
Captain Dyre gets a slightly haunted look as she speaks almost as though this revelation reminds her of past horrors of her own.
"I don't know yet who those sorcerers were who attacked you or indeed why they attacked, but if the gods were your enemy I doubt we, or this house or likely this city would be around to ask these questions."
...
While all this is going on in the Cerberus is still searching.
Something leads him back to the wardrobe. It is there that he can feel the strongest concentration of Christopher’s grandmothers energy. Feeling his way around he pushes the old coats out of the ways and touches the back of the wardrobe.
It is a solid oak thing but there is the most energy which he absorbs. The energy is weak, fragile but as it infuses his mind he gets a flash of insight, and with that he vanishes.
(Ooc - Cerberus you will be continuing in ‘Down the Rabbit Hole’)
|
|
|
Post by lilithsboy on Sept 8, 2019 12:42:57 GMT -5
Sighs and nods,Cirice is considered a god, and the Meta Wonder Woman knows how to fight her. Perhaps it would be prudent to request a consult. Also please do not believe for one moment that I have forgotten the need to bring my grandmother back, a missing person case in which the victim is known to have deadly enemies should take high priority even without the personal aspects of the case. What do you want to do in order to move forward?
Christopher moves back over to the lexicon and begins to translate the scroll, to say he does not currently trust Dryer is an understatement of the highest order. He combs through it extremely thoroughly looking for any negatives, loopholes, or exploits he can find, assuming it is some form of binding mystical contract.
**************** 6 in intelligence so that he can understand all that is going into this and make an informed decision.
|
|
|
Post by Gris on Sept 9, 2019 7:25:48 GMT -5
Mildred was no expert at making calls, telephonic or otherwise, as the disarray of her own lifestyle clearly betrayed, but maybe trying to contact the Swamp Thing's paramour was the right way to go. Well, contacting her could be feasible, and Christopher the sweet boy had Mildred's disconnect with modern technology into account, but contacting wasn't the same as reaching. Would the monstrous couple be amiable to help Gotham? Maybe if asked by another monster things could work. They may have been gone into seclusion, but Gotham tonight was, as has many times been, a home for monsters, for the rejected, for the different. Maybe they didn't want to save the city, but they could be open to saving the people living in it, even when asked by an undead.
"On it" Mildred just nodded, not wanting to interrupt the strange dance her verbose partner and the Captain were tangled on. It wasn't like Mildred had complete trust on her, but she wasn't as distrustful as her partner. Well, Mildred didn't have the personal stake Christopher had either, so it was at least somewhat understandable. Following instructions she readied herself to reach telephonically or otherwise along decades of known acquaintances, contacts, old flames or anyone else she knew that could point her in the direction of Abigail Holland and her supernatural partner. Ready to be a while on the phone or to grab the car and get moving, Mildred wanted to make the most of what remained of the night.
Health: 4/4 ; Energy: 12/12 Action: General Knowledge (History of Gotham) 7 to remember anyone who could know anything about Abigail Holland and/or the Swamp Thing and could reach them in her name or give a clue in the proper direction.
Action: Social Skills (persuasion) 5 to sweet talk through the phone or grabbing the car and going wherever they are in person, to get someone to spill the beans. Health: 4/4 ; Energy: 0/12
|
|
|
Post by Janus on Sept 11, 2019 9:25:59 GMT -5
Mildred wanders off to make her phone call as Christopher studies the scroll he has been given.
The scroll is indeed a binding magical contract, between the signatory and the Greek god Hades.
It agrees to take a single non living item to be designated by the signatory and have the god Hades place it in his personal domain in the Underworld. Hades is then responsible for the safety and security of said item and is contractually bound to return the item back to the signatory upon request. The request is determined to be the spilling of the signatories blood in the place the item was taken from along with a clear verbal request for the item to be returned.
The item or items will be returned in the condition they were received to the place they were taken from.
The scroll must be signed in the casters blood and then touched to the item to be moved.
In magical terms this is an amazingly powerful item. Binding a god to a service is one thing. Binding the god of the dead is another. Hades is the one deity that no other deity could match in his own domain. His power there is absolute, and his word once given is as solid as the foundations of the world. Hades cares nothing for the world of the living so no amount of trickery or pursuasion would move him. He equally would have no need or likely interest in informing the other gods about the item. They exist with the living he with the dead and so communication is unnecessary.
He is known to have history with Circe, effectively divorcing her in favour of Persphone so he would be well placed to deal with any machinations from her.
Intentionally or not Captain Dyre has given you a way to protect the item that is more or less infallible and has equally given you control of it. Of course there is the issue of you needing to be alive to collect it, but then it would depend on how paranoid you want to get as to how much of a problem you see that as.
Mildred returns after a remarkably short amount of time with a troubled look on her face.
|
|
|
Post by Gris on Sept 14, 2019 5:02:17 GMT -5
"Who's got a date night? I got a date night!" Mildred joked, even if her distress was obvious for everyone to see. She was nervous of course, but if she didn't even try to poorly hide it with her usual nonchalant behavior that would only serve to make the rest worry even more. "Am I not the most charming undead of all Gotham? Managed to get a meeting with the man himself in an hour, route 32" she added. Mildred wasn't specific on the spot, she didn't intend on risking anyone else's skin without need-
The thought gave her pause. When did she started worrying about anyone else that wasn't her? Sure, she got in the job out of immortal boredom, but it was a task that would help the citizens of the city she loved. Was that already there? A seed of a plant she thought long dead? Dead since...
"So I hope things are fine around here, because I have to get going" Mildred doubted for a moment, not wasting more time with inconvenient introspection. This whole thing was Christopher's idea, so she didn't want to botch it. "Are you going to ride with me and meet the Swamp Thing himself or are you busy here? I guess that he only expects me, but..." she asked. Both approaches had its risks.
|
|
|
Post by lilithsboy on Sept 24, 2019 19:48:56 GMT -5
Oh I plan on going, I did an extensive study on him in school and frankly I do find him fascinating, Christopher says after a short pause. The stone should be safe enough till then according to the Captain and I will need to get all the requested images. So since you know where you are going I take it you are driving us in your car?
Christopher smiles at Mildred, there is something to it though perhaps a glint in the eye or the angle of the smile, Mildred has seen this particular je ne sais quoi enough to be fairly certain he is hiding some inner thought.
|
|
|
Post by Janus on Sept 26, 2019 9:56:11 GMT -5
The journey takes you both out of Gotham and into the countryside that surrounds it. Route 32 is all but empty at this time of night with only the occasional truck carrying good over night to worry about.
Even so reaching your destination on time requires all the haste you can muster. 'Ed's scrap and salvage' is a little way outside the city limits. The final resting place for dozens of cars trucks and other assorted vehicles all destined for 'recycling'.
Mildred would remember that this place was the scene of some vicious gangland murders about a decade ago, but since then has enjoyed comparatively little attention from Gotham's criminal community for reasons no one had yet put a finger on.
The reason may have something to do with the discomfort you both feel on parking up. Getting into the salvage yard isn't going to be easy, or indeed necessary if you just want to walk around the perimeter to the trees at the back. There certainly isn't any easy access for a car to get to them but with Swamp Thing's known dislike for both Gotham police and Vampires having no easy refuge isn't confidence inspiring.
|
|
|
Post by Gris on Sept 27, 2019 4:52:37 GMT -5
Mildred noticed a weird glance on Christopher, maybe she had missed something between him and the Captain, who knew. She would normally try to pry during the drive, using small talk along route 32 to check what was Christopher hiding from her, but she wasn't on her usual playful mood. Hands tight on the steering wheel, eyes fixed on the black ink of the night road, Mildred was more tense than scared. Of course part of what caused her distress was the fear of what an entity such a Swamp Thing could think about an undead like her, but also the excitement about how things were developing.
She was afraid of dying, but she had never felt more alive.
Something was wrong on that place, maybe an echo of the past or just Mildred being paranoid, but she could swear that she felt something odd. "Around or through?" Mildred finally talked for the first time on the trip, pointing to the scrapyard and beyond. "Either way the car will have to stay here, so no quick escape if things go south" she added, wary. Getting into and through the derelict spot wouldn't be hard, even if there were any kind of working gates in such a spot it wasn't something either vampiric might or arcane magic couldn't solve, but they had enough trouble with the one they were going to meet, so perhaps they could be conservative with their strength and go around in the trees.
Into his territory.
|
|
|
Post by lilithsboy on Sept 27, 2019 15:47:44 GMT -5
Christopher had been in an almost eerily uncharacteristic silence for him throughout the entire ride. He sits looking out the window and seems particularly interested in the stars. He starts when Mildred finally speaks, having forgotten she was there. The sense of dread comming off the junkyard is uncomfortable and mirrors too closely what he had been feeling back in his home.
You feel it too then? I think we may need to report this place when we get back let us go around from what I understand our visitor does not have that particular trick up his sleeve. Christopher gathers himself putting on a smile as he is often want to do, though he knows much better than to think The Swamp Thing will underestimate him there is no point in not being pleasant.
|
|