Crimson Herring

Crimson Herring
Part of The Crow of Seattle
Date 2084-06-15 GM Asmodeus Location Atka, Alaska Status Threat Level: Deadly
Factions Involved
ShadowHaven	Major Corp
8133D3R Mojo Joe Nu11st@ck Swerve	Character1 Character2
Casualties and losses
N/A

Summary

Elf-looking stranger hires runners with actual gold coins to go repair and point a ship full of shedim at a mysterious opponent in the South Pacific. They also get corpses for the astral shedim to possess.

Background

Amidst the lingering threat of the unknown yet now confirmed master shedim summoning the violent spirits to the material plane. A mysterious Johnson hires a group of runners to bring forth a group of Shedim to the mainland. In the process managing to locate the master and formulate a plan from there.

The Meet

Arriving at the meet in the late evening Mojo and Swerve investigate a strange abandoned slaughterhouse barn. Long decayed and deceased bodies littered throughout the outside. A force 10 path of the wheel ward however was very much present and guarded the building. Said tradition tending not to have a fondness for Banshee's. Summoning a spirit and making sure everything seemed alright... ish, the two runners headed inside the building with Swerve having to sleaze her way inside given the nature of the ward in question. The interior however starkly contrasted the outside, resembling a well maintained stone basement with books, tables, magical objects, almost like a wizard's study out of a fantasy story. Continuing their way down the stairs the pair find an obscuring ward that seemed to cover an elven woman with torn clothes, long hair, and a red dress. Mojo a bit more concerned and downtrodden as he seemed to recognize the body in question, but now not so much its current occupant. Eventually 2 other runners made themselves known, 8133D3R and Nu11st@ck confused at first by the obscuring ward but quickly moving on once explained. Without much fluff or introductions the Johnson made the job clear. A group of evil spirits were aboard a vessel trapped somewhere in the pacific ocean. A brief conversation later and the evil spirits as it turned out were Shedim. Tempted to immediately back out the Johnson made sure to reveal that in bringing them here said efforts would expose the master shedim. A powerful spirit that had been the root cause for the surge in Shedim appearances. Also handing the runners a scroll that apparently would help them with their situation in terms of making a deal with the evil spirits. With much reluctance and bargaining the group headed out ready for the job. Preparing themselves for whatever ramifications would befall them... and potential innocents upon completion. Once the group left however, Swerve got an anonymous call from Ezekyle Burton, calling to infer what she and the other runners were doing in the neck of the woods they are. Swerve becoming suspicious of Ezekyle and asking directly if Ezekyle was a Shedim to previous similarly suspicious events. Being almost insulted by the question at hand, Ezekyle denied the accusations. The two continue to chat but given Swerve's suspicion and hesitation the call ends with nothing lost yet nothing gained either.

The Plan

The runners prepared themselves to the best of their abilities for the... interesting run ahead. 8133D3R searched the matrix looking for intel and finds the Kono, a cargo ship belonging to a freelance shipping company owned by a Mr. Orlov. Said ship believing to be a smuggler of weapons with close ties to Wuxing given contracts made in the past. Though whether it be due to incompetent investigations or nuyen paid to turn certain heads in other directions, no illegal activity has been noted. However, strangely enough, Mr. Orlov has not made any moves or... ANYTHING in over 25 years. Likely proving either his passing or the man works under fake SINs. Images of the vessel were also discovered among his research. Swerve in the meanwhile divines the venture ahead, weary of what the spirits could do. After examining the future she felt shivers as her magic indicated the presence of a threat that lurked under the waves, the ocean itself not neutral but an enemy. Nu11 was able to ask for assistance from Von Neuman, a secretive AI with a plethora of connections. Nu11 asked the powerful individual for potential transportation to the vessel. Von Neuman as it turns was able to find a weakness and "release" one of the Luftshiffbau models for their use. Said vessel while operable needing various repairs and parts needed on the runners part to both fix it up and make it sure it stays off the grid. Mojo while this has happened attempted to summon and bind a powerful guardian spirit to aid him on the run, however, the potency of the spirit left him nearly comatose as he coughed blood. Deciding it likely best to summon the spirit aboard the vessel and resummon when necessary. 8133D3r in the meanwhile managed to find a more exact location. Off the coast of Atka, Alaska along the northern pacific. With all of their preparations ready and under way the team headed out towards the vessel. Ready as they ever could be.

The Run

While heading over the shakey waters the group landed aboard the cargo ship spotted near exactly where 8133D3R indicated it would be. With a fresh spirit summoned and inhabiting the homunculus, the group boarded the vessel at night so negotiations may be... smoother. Investigating revealed a locked door near the front and an unoccupied captain's quarters the spirit opened with an immense amount of force, also destroying part of the wall in the process. Using her charismatic nature and Mojo's suggestion. Swerve used the intercom to get the attention of the shedim. Most of whom already inhabited the bodies of the deceased crewmates. And one who was later revealed to be a drake sent to sabotage the vessel. Agreeing to communicate with the runners a shedim emerged onto the deck and into the captain's quarters to discuss what was happening and how the two groups would proceed. Simply at first all it required was a repaired vessel given how the engine had been damaged. Being damaged by the aforementioned Drake. However, the proceedings would gradually become darker as it turned out the shedim would require more... bodies. Unaware of just many that meant. Some quick investigation revealing the total on board to not be simply 5 or 6 like some had hoped but rather 30 shedim of similar force. In horror and anger the runners debated as to how to best proceed. Mojo mainly apprehensive and angry about the whole ordeal. Being outnumbered and seeing no other way out he simply left the runners to their vices as he simply acted as security for the ordeal, making sure none of them tried anything while the runners were not looking. After giving the Shedim the scroll and apprehensively agreeing to the deal, Mojo also escorted 8133D3R to the engine room to do some quick check up as to what needed to be done in order to fix it, Nu11 aiding them in this pursuit. Whilst repairs were being done Swerve made a call to Tamanous. A very... renown organization, known primarily for their organ trade... and the methods they use to maintain it. A back and forth ensued where in the organization would receive the body of the drake in exchange for the 26 corpses they would need. In the meanwhile Nu11 and 8133D3R's engine repairs went about as well as one could expect. A meeting place for the bodies was agreed upon, a plot of water near the Pitcairn islands. With 8133D3R's software knowledge and Nu11's hardware knowledge they with duct tape and prayers managed to get the boat fully operational long enough to get them to the destination. Nu11 also managing to grab a hold of Isabel, an aviator enthusiast and business woman who without too much convincing agreed to both deliver a shipment of materials needed to keep the boat in tact and powered long enough to get them wherever the scroll needed them to go, also delivering their... other shipment. With solar panels and bodies delivered. The runners and Shedim parted way as the group boarded the airship to allow the Kono to sail towards wherever the evil spirits needed to go.

Aftermath

It was in the aftermath things became silent as rarely did any of the runners speak. During the initial meeting Mojo Joe received a call from an anonymous number, turning out to be the familiar voice of Ezekyle. Confused as to why he called, the psychologist informed Mojo he was aware of what was going on and wanted to help Mojo in his inevitable pursuits of destroying all of the shedim he possibly could. Mojo eagerly and rapidly agreed to the proposal, being informed of a briefcase in a dumpster nearby Ezekyle's clinic that would establish a psychic link between the two so Mojo could be informed of whenever and wherever a shedim may be attacking. Thanking Ezekyle for his kindness and agreeing to keep in touch, Mojo hung up and headed to the meet same as the rest of the team. Upon returning the payment was given as expected with Mojo leaving early. The rest of the runners receiving what seemed to be a genuine hug of relief. With rewards in hand and a tense, uncertain future ahead the runners headed home ready for whatever fate may befall Seattle... and beyond.

Rewards

• 30,000 Nuyen (15 RVP)
• 5 Karma (5 RVP)
• 2 CDP

Optional Rewards:

• For Mojo Joe: F10 Shofar Exorcism Horns (Buy at half price from Nuyen) & Ezekyle Burton, 2/1 Ghoul Therapist (2 RVP or 4 CDP)
• For Nu11St@ck: Initiation Ordeal due to a scary blonde witch giving her Seelie Court tips on magical techniques. His adept centering improves by 1 by incorporating fae self-suggestion thoughtloops. Also Luftshiffbau Zeppelin and/or Telestrian Shamus (Can use Nuyen rewards for Gear Rate Rewards (4,000 Nuyen per RVP).)
• For 8133D3R: 51P AP-2 2KG bomb, crafted with R25 Plastic Explosives (5,000 Nuyen, Buy at half price from Nuyen rewards)
• For Swerve: -1 Karma due to getting consensually Energy Drained by a Shedim. Also bonus emotional support due to getting hugged for once. Optional Quality: Solid Rep (Tamanous) at chargen rates.
• For Everyone: Out of the Johnson's private stash: F5 P10 Baobhan's Tears, Force of Personality, HMHVV 2 Inhibitors, Unstoppable Vigor, Sharpshooter, Lot's Curse and Spirit Strength, 3 vials of each. These resources are divided among players so if one takes all 3 vials, the rest can't take any. Negotiate amongst yourselves if any want to take some; each vial is worth 1 RVP. Also F5 Vault of Ages to store it with (10,000 Nuyen, pay half due to Gear Rates).

Game Quotes

"So. You like blood?"

"I'm gonna be honest I've gotten really good at killing things."

Player After Action Reports (AARs)

Mojo Joe: "It... it's done and... oh god what have I... done. What the fuck have I allowed. IF that woman lied... if this does not aid in stopping the spread of those... monsters. I will have words. I need to be ready. No matter what, something big is coming. And I will put an end to it. I don't care what I have to do, I will see it through. I will save everyone I can."

Nu11st@ck: "Boy.. that one felt wrong... Pretty happy we managed to track down a proper source of bodies but thats a hell of a price for this zeppelin..."