Disclaimer: I helped generate a portion of the material for this text, providing a few derro items and one of the monsters. However, I did buy my print copy of this book. My PDF was provided by... [Read More]
Disclaimer: I contributed a bit of material (Some monsters and one background option) for this book by virtue of working on _Halls of the Mountain King_. I was not otherwise directly involved in its... [Read More]
The first thing that grabs you about the Imperial Gazetteer is the cover. Malcolm McClinton has once again put together a gorgeous image that wraps around to the back. It's fantastic piece of art and... [Read More]
This is not the first Doctor Who RPG. The first one published was a system created by FASA back in the mid 1980s, which used a similar system to their Star Trek RPG. I used to run that game back in... [Read More]
[This scene takes place the day after the events described in the intro to Long Shots]
For some reason or another, Adrianna is in the Bureau office quite early in the morning. She notices a woman seated elegantly in the waiting area, just before a secretary meets Adrianna in the entrance. It looks like they are the only ones here with you. The secretary nods in relief and speaks to you urgently while keeping her voice out of the stranger's earshot.
"Ms. Shannan? I have a big favor to ask. This woman wants to see Agent Dales - she asked for him by name - but I don't think he's coming in until late in the morning. Do you mind speaking with her?"
__________________ "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
"Sure," Adrianna replies and walks over to the woman. "Hello. I'm Agent Shannan. I'm very sorry, but Agent Dales won't be in until later on this morning. Perhaps I can help you with your problem?" She asked politely and pulled up a seat and sat down.
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
She takes your hand in her surprisingly strong grip. Her hair is pale blond, and her complexion even lighter than yours. With an appraising eye you notice she is well dressed under her trench coat; her clothes are not ostentatious, but certainly expensive.
"Katrina Renaux."
With her other hand, she gives you a Swiss passport. You quickly notice it seems to contain accurate information. Latest entry is a stamp from the airport less than two hours ago - she must have come straight to the office.
"Hopefully this provides an acceptable alibi. I'd like to report a theft that should have occurred approximately eight hours ago."
__________________ "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
"Should have occured?" Shannan looked puzzled. "Miss Renaux, I think we should probably speak in private and you can tell your story." she glanced pointedly at the secretary.
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
"Which bank and what was stolen and how did you come by this information?" Adrianna asked, getting out a rather worn and dogeared notebook and a pen from her purse.
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
"It's the Colonial Bank in Pasadena. I have reason to suspect that someone wishes to obtain several valuable manuscripts from the vault. You can call it an educated guess, but last night would have been the ideal time to strike. I really think a trip to the bank might make my story a bit more believable."
If you make a DC19 Sense Motive check,
Spoiler:
She sounds sincere, at least.
__________________ "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
ooc:
Is this bank in Pasadena near where Adrianna works?
"Alright, you're coming with me and be prepared. I'm going to ask alot of questions," Adrianna said with a wry grin.
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
The bank is about 20 minutes away from the FBI office. The two of you drive there mostly in silence, although she answers most of your questions in a bland fashion. She is Swiss, but has visited LA several times since the war. She does defer any specific questions about the theft, saying only that explanations will make sense after you get there.
You arrive about ten minutes before the bank opens. A manager is in the process of unlocking the doors.
__________________ "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
Adrianna goes up to the manager and explains the situation as well as flashing her badge.
"Sorry sir, but I believe that a crime has been committed here, in your bank. I'm going to need to see the saftey deposit vault (And whichever deposit box that the girl indicated)
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
Adrianna grinned at the manager. "Humour me please. If I'm wrong, no harm done. If I'm right...." she shrugged. "You're choice of course," she said, turning on the charm, probably to the amusement of Katrina Renaux.
ooc:
(+3) CHA 16
Bluff 4 + 3 = 7
Diplomancy
4 + 7 = 8
Charm Talent Tree
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
The manager looks at both of you, and reluctantly agrees. "As long as you do it quickly - I don't want anything amiss by the time our first account holders arrive."
"Ms. Shannan - if you don't mind humoring me - I will stay here in the lobby while you look, then give you my best estimate of what you found."
Katrina sits in the waiting area as you approach the vault. As the manager unlocks it, you detect no signs that it has been disturbed. Stepping out of the path as the heavy door swings outward, the first thing you notice is the strong smell of mint. From the shocked look on the manager's face, you can quickly tell that something is amiss, and move to get a better look.
"I -- I don't understand. How could so much money be missing?"
He is looking at a clear area on the floor, whose lack of dust indicates that something has recently been moved from it. Something catches your eye in the middle of the vault - a wooden implement about four inches high. It almost looks like a mousetrap standing on end. A large safe deposit box drawer with signs of forced entry gapes open at the far end of this cramped room.
__________________ "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
She glances at the pale manager. "Don't touch anything in here and keep the bank closed for now." she said briskly. "Miss Renaux?" she called from the vault. "You were quite right, now I'm going to ask you to stay put for a moment and if you move, I will cuff you to a chair." she also added.
She turned again to the manager as they walked out and sealed the vault. "For now, keep this place locked up. I need to call my boss and get a foresics team around here. Where's the phone?" she asked, now all business.
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
"You'll see I'm the closest thing to a victim you have," she grumbles - but stays in her place. Quickly and efficiently you call the bureau, who promises to have someone there in about fifteen minutes.
As you hang up, the manager is waiting to speak with you. He looks quite a bit more worried than before - even after discovering the theft.
"It's probably a good thing someone from the government is here, Ms. Shannan. I have looked up the ownership of the box that was opened, and it belongs to John Parsons."
Int check DC15
Spoiler:
Google him for some fun. I couldn't make this stuff up!
__________________ "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
ooc:
I would assume that at this time, his religious affliates wouldn't be known....
IC
"What would a rocket scientist want with old manuscripts?" she asked, turning to Katrina.
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
Adrianna looks at the woman skeptically. "Alright. I'll humour you," she said dryly. "Tell me exactly what you know and how you found out about this."
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
"Before I start I ask you to listen to what I say with an open mind. You don’t have to believe in what I say; but remember that the thief does."
She closes her eyes.
"I imagine there is a small lever or portal inside the vault. It is most likely made of wood – oak or yew – and any metal parts are tin or bronze. There is probably some mint or lavender – perfume or a spring of plant is easiest to come by. And to be safe, I would have placed it in a star drawn with mercury."
Back in the vault, you examine the scene more closely. On the floor is a miniature, hand-made doorframe approximately four inches high. The frame has been assembled from pieces of oak, while the actual door is half of a flattened tin can. Close to one wall lie a thermometer with its bulb smashed and an empty spice bottle of crushed mint leaves. Its contents appear to have been sprinkled over the tiny door.
__________________ "When I became a man, I put away childish things, including the fear of childishness and the desire to be very grown up."
-C.S. Lewis
Last edited by Committed Hero; 20th August 2006 at 02:07 AM..
Adrianna comes back, having written down what she's seen, but not showing it to the woman. "You're a psychic, right?" she asked quietly. She's interviewed some over the years. And only twice was she convinced that the psychic in question was real.
__________________ Growing old is inevitable. Growing up is optional. Mercy depends greatly on both sides ability to listen to reason. Redemption is an easy path indeed, however Atonement is a more difficult road to travel down.
Gamers Online Now: 872
Linear Mode
