"These dead guys like; any idea about them; they didnt seem; uhm...vengeful like dead that came back sent by a God for vengence, more like; hyper robots in flesh form, they didnt seem like they had a goal; more like there were a distraction."
"Agreed. Any necromancer with enough talent to control five jiang shi would have more precise ways to kill their enemies. More effective, too."
Nathanial finally notices David and Emily walking towards the Egypt exhibit and begins following them. After all, they're still strangers and, although Danny seems to trust them, Danny still isn't the best judge of character.
People going into the Egyptian Exhibit make a Perception or Investigation roll.
Searching a room has a special significance for a police officer. Potential danger lurks everywhere. Your eyes follow the barrel of the gun, not the other way around. You systematically divide the room into slices, clearing them each of danger before moving on to the next one. It is practiced over and over again in hundreds, even thousands, of searches. From churches to crack houses to pharmacies, a career in law enforcement will have you searching in some unusual places.
A ransacked museum in Canada, following a chaotic attack by trolls, the undead, and some unknown practitioner, is one of the more unusual locales David's searched.
But not the strangest. That particular honor would go to the time he followed a suspect into an abandoned toy warehouse. [i]That[i] was a creepy place.
Following along Emily walks along, reaching behind her and pulling up a small shotgun from beneath the small backpack. She quickly checks it over and as she enters the Egyptian exhibit she scans the room...
Looking in the Egyptian Exhibit.
You follow the trail of what were wet prints on the ground. They've dried enough that it is hard to make out a shape at this point so you can't tell the source of them. If it had been another ten or fifteen minutes in the dry air of the museum then the trail of water dots would have evaporated. The dry air that preserves the exhibits removes traces of water very quickly.
The trail leads into a section by a few display cases that surround a mummy.
Following the bit of water is not a problem for your trained eyes. You've seen many crime scenes and easily pick out the relevant clues. It is unlikely that a person without your years of training would have spotted which case the person appears to have broken into.
It is only with a careful eye that you notice a slight disturbance in the dust at edge of the pillar the glass case is set upon. It left a slightly cleaner void of dust then you would have found if the case hadn't been recently opened.
Looking more carefully, you can see just the slightest nick on the lock showing where someone inserted a set of picks. It is something a person wouldn't have noticed unless they were purposely looking for it.
It is clear that unlike the case broken into in the torture exhibit that the person breaking in here didn't want people to realize this case had been broken into. It may very well be the break in of the torture case was just a cover for this break in. People tend to look less hard when they already 'know' what is missing.
The trouble is that looking at the case with the title of Canopic Jars, there is nothing missing. According to the placard the contents are all there.
Looking very carefully, you do notice that something is off. The little security alarm wires that are normally attached to objects. You can see that one is hanging free slightly. More worrisome and impossible is that it appears that one of the wires is sticking into the solid surface of one of the jars.
Following Munroe to the display cases, you get the sense that magic has been used recently in the area but you're not sure on what or where.
It is commonly known amongst monster hunters that Egypt with its Book of the Dead and age of the mummies is a popular target for Necromancers.
Monroe beckons Nathaniel over. "Take a look." He shows him the lockpick marks on the case, as well as the intact items inside. "What's a 'Canopic Jar'?" Before receiving a reply, he points to the alarm wires, which have apparently been tampered with. "Can you tell if these are these fakes?"
One of the wires is hanging freely, barely noticeable if you're not looking. The other is sticking into the solid surface of one of the jars... Somehow.
"Can you tell if these are these fakes?"
"I can certainly try." Nathanial steps up to the case and examines the jars more closely.
"Can you tell if these are these fakes?"
"I can certainly try." Nathanial steps up to the case and examines the jars more closely.
4d3-3
4d3-5
Knowing what you are looking for, you examine Canopic Jars. The jars appear to be made of alabaster with carved heads.
The detached security thread and the thread sticking into the surface are clear give away that someone has used an illusion to cover what is in or is missing from the display case. Being trained in the magical arts you are aware that often evil wizards and necromancers leave traps upon their spells in case someone should tamper with the illusion.
If the canopic jars are missing then it would be common to use them as part of a ritual for summoning or control of a ghost or a mummy. Necromantic arts are filled with requirements of rare bones and organs belonging to the dead.
You don't much of the details regarding this set of canopic jars other than that the listing on the placard which says they belong to a mummified priest by the name of 'Dah-priest'.
Monroe beckons Nathaniel over. "Take a look." He shows him the lockpick marks on the case, as well as the intact items inside. "What's a 'Canopic Jar'?"
Emily looks casually over the left shoulder of Monroe at the sign of lock picking and possible fake wires... "Aren't those the things where the innards of those turned in mummys are stored?"
She looks about commenting, "This Egyptian stuff is popular amongst the Necromancer crowd."
Monroe beckons Nathaniel over. "Take a look." He shows him the lockpick marks on the case, as well as the intact items inside. "What's a 'Canopic Jar'?"Emily looks casually over the left shoulder of Monroe at the sign of lock picking and possible fake wires... "Aren't those the things where the innards of those turned in mummys are stored?"
She looks about commenting, "This Egyptian stuff is popular amongst the Necromancer crowd."
The lock on the case was clearly picked by a pro with barely a mark on the lock from the usage of the picks.
You're not sure how the alarm was bypassed but it mustn't been done locally with the one wire clearly dangling free and the other wire appearing to enter the surface of the canopic jar.
It is possible that it could be some form of superior hologram though you've known fae to do such hi-jinks before.
She looks about commenting, "This Egyptian stuff is popular amongst the Necromancer crowd."
"Quite. Many necromantic rituals require dead flesh, and since these jars contained the organs of a millennia-old priest... Well, I doubt I need to elaborate further."
Nathanial steps away from the case. "Those jars are only an illusion, by the way. The necromancer must have left them there so no one would notice that they're missing. I can unravel the illusions now, if you would just step back." They don't need to know that they will likely blow up in his face if he makes a wrong move. Not yet.
I follow Nathanial as well, no sense brainstorming alone; not my strong point and everyone seems to be going that way so will head along being watchful.
Alertness
canopy jars; aint that where they put the major organs of this guy; heard they pull them out through the nose and stuff...what, like I can't watch Discovery Channel?
"These dead guys like; any idea about them; they didnt seem; uhm...vengeful like dead that came back sent by a God for vengence, more like; hyper robots in flesh form, they didnt seem like they had a goal; more like there were a distraction.""Agreed. Any necromancer with enough talent to control five jiang shi would have more precise ways to kill their enemies. More effective, too."
Nathanial finally notices David and Emily walking towards the Egypt exhibit and begins following them. After all, they're still strangers and, although Danny seems to trust them, Danny still isn't the best judge of character.
"Illusion eh; really, Mothers Blessing, how can you tell?"
hmm; focus my attention; can I feel the jars; anything else that I see but cant feel in contact with the earth?
She looks about commenting, "This Egyptian stuff is popular amongst the Necromancer crowd.""Quite. Many necromantic rituals require dead flesh, and since these jars contained the organs of a millennia-old priest... Well, I doubt I need to elaborate further."
Nathanial steps away from the case. "Those jars are only an illusion, by the way. The necromancer must have left them there so no one would notice that they're missing. I can unravel the illusions now, if you would just step back." They don't need to know that they will likely blow up in his face if he makes a wrong move. Not yet.
"Yes, looks like one of those holograms. Some fae can do work like this. I am not too sure about how the alarm was bypassed, but that lock was picked by someone who was well practiced." the woman comments, and looks to Nathanial and backs away from the case.
Emily smiles at Aximeus' comment before asking, "Anything else?" She looks at Monroe, "Seems to be a trail of some sort in here. How about out?
"Illusion eh; really, Mothers Blessing, how can you tell?"
"For one, the wire wouldn't be piercing the jar so easily if there was any actual mass there. Now, if there are no objections, I'll dispel this now." Nathanial draws a small knife from his jacket and stares intently at the jars.
"Illusion eh; really, Mothers Blessing, how can you tell?""For one, the wire wouldn't be piercing the jar so easily if there was any actual mass there. Now, if there are no objections, I'll dispel this now." Nathanial draws a small knife from his jacket and stares intently at the jars.
4d3-3
The Veil has a rating of Great +4 which means that it automatically stops the ordinary person from noticing that anything is wrong (0 skill +4 from roll of dice does not exceed the Veil). Only trained professionals like Nathaniel, Emily, or Munroe would notice something is wrong.
This is spiritual magic and you need to get a +4 or better to bring the spell down.
-------------------
Aximeus is totally befuddled by the spell.
So; can you buy this sort of magic off the street or does this mean there is more than one mage at work here counterposey like?
David stands back. Specialists have specialized roles, so he is more than happy to let Nathaniel go at it. He speaks to himself as he waits. "The trolls mentioned 'Mother' and were calling their leader 'Pa'. Now, unless I'm mistaken, there isn't much gender division that would cause her to wait at home, is there? It stands to reason that she might have been present. Could she have case a spell like this?" He may not know what the pieces mean, but he is good at thinking about how they might fit together.
David obligingly follows the others into the Egyptian section, and does a double-take when the slightly built Emily pulls out a compact shotgun.
"I don't suppose you have any MORE of those?!?" he asks, mostly kidding,...
Danny looks around wide eyed.
"Cool." He murmurs, obviously oblivious to anything amiss.
He also steps back when Nathanial pulls out his small knife to dispel the illusion.
"Um. That's not, dangerous, or anything. Is it?" He asks casually, sliding behind Aximeus large bulk,...
"Aint never seen a hologram that can hurt you; saw a neat one on the cover of a national geographic once; afraid of papercuts?"
"Never seen a hologram that could,... Did you never watch Star Trek, The Next Generation?!?" Danny frowns at the large red-head. Then retreats once more behind him, mumbling something about 'safety protocols off', and being glad he's not wearing a red shirt,...
"It's a ritual tool, nothing more." Nathanial readies himself. "Also, who knows what countermeasures were woven into this illusion? Precautions are necessary." Then he focuses on the illusion and cuts...
"It's a ritual tool, nothing more." Nathanial readies himself. "Also, who knows what countermeasures were woven into this illusion? Precautions are necessary." Then he focuses on the illusion and cuts...
4d3-4
The illusion fractures and falls releasing a rush of spiritual energy in the shape of several wailing souls that streak out in all directions.
"It's a ritual tool, nothing more." Nathanial readies himself. "Also, who knows what countermeasures were woven into this illusion? Precautions are necessary." Then he focuses on the illusion and cuts...
4d3-4
The illusion fractures and falls releasing a rush of spiritual energy in the shape of several wailing souls that streak out in all directions.
Nathanial throws his arms up and conjures a shield between him and the spirits. The rest of the group don't even cross his mind.
"Down!" Monroe tackles the closest of his allies, taking Emily to the floor. He sweeps her leg using one of knife fighting techniques and covers her body with his own.
Emily, standing back from the case and watching Nathanial work his magic and start to dispel the illusion and manages to just sense the release of the spiritual attack that races out to bombard all within the room.
The woman manages to call out to the mageling, "What the hell did you..." Just before she is taken to the ground by Monroe's quick reflexes.
"Down!" Monroe tackles the closest of his allies, taking Emily to the floor. He sweeps her leg using one of knife fighting techniques and covers her body with his own.
4d3-4
Emily, standing back from the case and watching Nathanial work his magic and start to dispel the illusion and manages to just sense the release of the spiritual attack that races out to bombard all within the room.
The woman manages to call out to the mageling, "What the hell did you..." Just before she is taken to the ground by Monroe's quick reflexes.
"Aw, what did I tell you?!?" Danny wails, then gapes in surprise at Monroe's quick action.
Danny is suddenly buffeted by the sudden flurry of wailing spirits that are not impeded at all by Aximeus' large bulk. The youth throws up both his arms and takes a breath,
'Indiana Jones, "Whatever you do, Don't open your eyes!" ' He tells himself, finding his center at last. Better late than never.
Danny begins singing. He stands there, eyes closed, arms in front of his face, and sings. Softly at first, but it quickly grows steadily louder. It is a hauntingly beautiful tune with alien words that flow over you like water, and are forgotten as soon as they pass.
4d3-5
"Aw, what did I tell you?!?" Danny wails, then gapes in surprise at Monroe's quick action.
Danny is suddenly buffeted by the sudden flurry of wailing spirits that are not impeded at all by Aximeus' large bulk. The youth throws up both his arms and takes a breath,
'Indiana Jones, "Whatever you do, Don't open your eyes!" ' He tells himself, finding his center at last. Better late than never.
Monroe's seem some pretty rough things in his years, but an emotional wall is really not much of a match for some supernatural explosion. He looks up from his position on the floor, in obvious pain, then releases a steady stream of curses in English, followed by a few in Spanish and Creole.
4d3-7
Monroe's seem some pretty rough things in his years, but an emotional wall is really not much of a match for some supernatural explosion. He looks up from his position on the floor, in obvious pain, then releases a steady stream of curses in English, followed by a few in Spanish and Creole.
Emily is off the ground with a quick kip up and looks about the room for dangers. Seeing none she turns a burning glare at Nathanial. Anyone who cares to notice can see that it is taking the woman some self restraint from causing the mage some sort of harm at the moment. She hisses out, "What was that?!" She calms herself just a bit and continues, "I hope that you did not know that would happen."
She watches the mage who apparently just put the entire group in danger. Not to mention seems confused about the difference of what stepping back and maybe you should leave the room, while I dismantle some spell trap, are.
She quickly changes her focus moving to help Monroe up from the ground, "Nice reflexes you got there." She then says something she does not often like to admit that she can use the help of others more often then not, "Thank you."
She checks to see how the large bulk of a man has fared as she casts a look over at Danny as she thought she heard the man singing something a moment or two before.
I still need a Conviction roll from Aximeus.
What is everyone else doing at this point?
The stream of curses ends with a grunt as David picks himself up off the ground with Emily's help. "My pleasure." He shakes his head, trying to ward off the massive headache. It feels like he went to Spec's (a local Texas liquor chain) and had a little bit of everything.
He glares at Nathanial. "A little more specific next time. That was like saying that gettin' Tased stings a little."
"What was that?!" She calms herself just a bit and continues, "I hope that you did not know that would happen."
"That was... larger than I expected." Nathanial quietly returns his knife to his jacket pocket.
He glares at Nathanial. "A little more specific next time. That was like saying that gettin' Tased stings a little."
"I admit it, I made a mistake. I assumed whatever trap was left behind would be more precise when all evidence points towards the necromancer being willing to kill bystanders for a distraction. But it's too late to change what already happened, and any pain should subside in a few minutes. We all survived, and that's enough for me."
Danny looks around, blinking. He seems mildly surprised to be unharmed himself. He gives a smirk and a jaunty wave in reply to Emily's quick, questioning glance, and snickers aloud at David's comment.
"I have to remember that one." He snickers, then coughs and assumes a neutral expression at the looks he gets.
This headache sticks to Monroe, pounding away at his head. David shakes it away as best he can. It isn't the first time he's had his brain rattled, so he will simply deal with it. He starts to search the room out of habit.
Any burglary has a few key points that an investigator needs to determine. Point of entry, method of entry, articles taken, point of exit. The first and last were usually the same, but not always. He flags Emily over. "Where do you think the suspect exited?"
This headache sticks to Monroe, pounding away at his head. David shakes it away as best he can. It isn't the first time he's had his brain rattled, so he will simply deal with it. He starts to search the room out of habit.
Any burglary has a few key points that an investigator needs to determine. Point of entry, method of entry, articles taken, point of exit. The first and last were usually the same, but not always. He flags Emily over. "Where do you think the suspect exited?"
4d3-3
You are fairly certain that the person that left here went out with the crowd and the chaos at the door.
Now that the illusion has been removed, you are also able to spot a long blond hair of what you think belongs to a young woman or a young girl.
You can also hear the tell tale sounds of a detective starting to give questions to patrol officers that were assigned to watch the tape. You can probably expect a full team of investigators backed by some insurance investigators (the pros with the private dollars to run tests that police dream they had the money to afford).
Great. Evidence tampering. David's not happy to do something like that, but this is something that the police simply are not equipped to handle. He pulls out a plastic bag from inside his coat and picks up a single strand of long blonde hair from inside the case. "What have we here?" He puts the evidence bag back in his pocket. "Okay, folks, we ain't got any more time. We got to get out of here because the police are on their way in. Let's go out the way we came in."
Danny throws a nervous glance towards the entrance and nods emphatically in agreement. "The best performers know when to take their final bow!"
"Exit! Stage Left!" He says in his best snaggletooth voice. Then leads by example and heads for the kitchen,...
He flags Emily over. "Where do you think the suspect exited?"
Emily takes a quick look about to see how she might have gotten out with the goods if she had taken the jars.
After a brief look-see,tThe woman then stows her shortened shotgun away from sight and looks to the others... Alright then...
He flags Emily over. "Where do you think the suspect exited?"Emily takes a quick look about to see how she might have gotten out with the goods if she had taken the jars.
After a brief look-see,tThe woman then stows her shortened shotgun away from sight and looks to the others... Alright then...
Your opinion agrees with Munroe. There was so much confusion of people outside that you could have probably marched an elephant out the front door and no one would have stopped you.
Emily starts out of the exhibit with the others but stops for a moment and walks back and takes up her blackberry and takes a picture of the case and plaque that held the the jar.
Catching up to the others she up and asks, "I do not suppose there will be any digital coverage of this evenings events? Might be able to look over things to get a better handle on just what the heck happened at the museum."'