The Return of Mr. Hyde
| The Return of Mr. Hyde | ||||||||||
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| Part of Call of the Shadows | ||||||||||
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| Factions Involved | ||||||||||
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ShadowHaven Knight Errant | Dr. Jekyll and The Mr. Hydes | |||||||||
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Catharsis Cold Hands Newt Sweetie Sinful | Mr. Hyde #4, Mr. Hyde #6, 2 Unnamed Gnawers | |||||||||
| Casualties and losses | ||||||||||
| 2 Unnamed Gnawers | ||||||||||
| Catharsis' First Mundane Ascension | ||||||||||
Summary
Clyde Murphy hires the runners to find Hyde, and the runners get a lot more than they bargained for.
Background
Following Finda Killer and Hyding from Jekyll Clyde Murphy *still* has a Hyde problem. One in lockup, one missing, one out murdering in the 10-2-10 style. And as perhaps the only KE officer left in Seattle who cares, he calls in the runner who cares, Catharsis. Deciding that she had nothing better to do on a Friday night, she recruited Cold Hands, Newt and Sweetie Sinful.
The Meet
Meeting where and when they first met in Finda Killer, Catharsis sought the new case files, and any updates about the case in general, allowing Catharsis to secure Frank Davis' commcode. The newest Mr. Hyde was in a stark contrast to the previous, leaving his victims done in the manner of the skaldic ritual execution known as a 'Blood Eagle'. Instead of the usual 10-2-10 organs and appendages missing, the heart, gal bladder, kidneys, liver, large intestines, spinal fluid, appendix, hands and feet were all missing. All three victims were awakened and killed in relatively high security areas, making it difficult to recover the crime scene. One was killed in a B security area in Tacoma by the water in the back of an office building, two was killed in a B area in Snohomish on the Bellevue border in the back of a veterans association and social club, three was killed in a downtown alley, left displayed to be found. This Hyde was perhaps the most well trained of the bunch, and considering the pattern, another probable ghoul. Catharsis offered up her legitimate identity in order to secure an audience with the imprisoned Hyde on Monday, leaving the runners all weekend to catch the current one. With only one body in custody, the runners set out to the morgue.
The Plan
The plan was to investigate what they could, hoping between Newt's seer shenanigans, a call to Frank, and a little digging they could *maybe* find the newest Hyde, and perhaps get a lead on Jekyl.
The Run
On the way to the morgue, Catharsis gave Frank a call, and much to the retired detective's chagrin, talked business. While their conversation was brief, Catharsis got confirmation that the missing Hyde was in fact being threatened with death if they didn't cooperate, was probably alive, and the location of their hide out in the Everett OU, specifically in between the Ciarniello and Chosen Rings. Deciding to leave that at face value, Cold Hands called St1tch who was the first person to notice the missing spinal fluids. Arriving at the morgue, Newt threw on her geckotape gloves and scaled the building until she could find an entrance, meeting Clyde at the morgue. Investigating the body, it was noted that spinal fluid was drained from Chaukurah points in line with Daoist philosophy. Beginning psychometric readings on the watch, Newt saw that the attacker used invisibility spells to conceal themselves before using their bare hands and a carving knife to do the job despite being armed with a ruger super warhawk. When they removed the organs, they used an enchanted knife of some sort. Meanwhile, teeth chattering, two Gnawers hovered behind Mr. Hyde like trained dogs. Newt could feel the victim's astral form being violently touched, akin to a hungry astral entity--but their essence was not drained. After suffering the loss of composure coming from being *murdered*, the group moved on wards.
Taking a trip to the veterans association and social club, Catharsis slipped into the security system and looked for clues about this Hyde, but only learned what had already been established. Leaving them with little other choice, they headed towards Everett. On the way there, Newt called Amelia Novak where some more interesting and unnerving clues were learned. The organization that Hyde is associated with has always had one 'pet' feral infected under their control, which are usually not seen more than once or twice. These trained ferals seem to trust the current Hyde and are well fed. Meaning there's a lot of money behind it all. This Hyde is seen as a well camouflaged, methodical killer who is constantly on the move, preferring to hunt awakened 'prey'. However, Hyde does not hesitate to put down rowdy pets, and is well tuned to combat situations. By this point they had reached the entrance into the underground, and began their search. Finding the missing Hyde's shack, Catharsis caught wind of a transponder, and attempted to take it out, only failing to and alerting the receiver to the disturbance before losing signal completely.
Perhaps this was serendipitous however, as while they searched the shack, stumbling across the missing Hyde's desire to seek out the *Tomo de los Muetros Impíos* they were attacked by the current Hyde. Cold Hands was invaluable, dispatching the two Gnawers in clean simple slices while Newt dodged around Hyde. Eventually, Hyde's undoing was a quick toss of a pepto pink colored paint grenade by Cold Hands, allowing the adept to Nerve Strike him until he was paralyzed. However, they had interrupted the day's hunt, and were soon to be dinner for a pack of various infected. Lifting the current Hyde onto the desk inside the workshop, and stacking an exhausted Sweetie atop, Catharsis and Cold Hands ran for the closest, least infected filled exit. Newt stayed behind, waiting to give Catharsis the signal to detonate a handful of scattered grenades. However, a banshee free spirit known as Lady G appeared, and made a pact with Newt. *In exchange for the being given the emissary you will give the Tomo de los Muetros Impíos in pristine quality to the Lady G in a peaceful exchange between all parties within the month within her domain.* While the terms of the contract were debated, Cold Hands attempted to open the manhole cover to allow them to escape, instead finding themselves trapped by War Trash. In exchange for accepting the pact, Newt staved all from an infected death, and is now followed the Sidewalk, a golem made up of urban debris who occasionally calls out for 'Noot' when manifested. Using a crowbar, Cold Hands was able to make use of War Trash's fatal flaw, his wheels. In a feat of strength, the two elves were able to haul both the huge incapacitated Hyde and Sweetie out of the sewers. Going back for Newt, Catharsis was relieved to see the frog surge alive and well, calling Clyde and letting him know they had another serial killer, alive and well for pick up.
Accepting a DNI request, the interrogation began. Hyde, who explained he was actually Mr. Hyde #6, and began to explain, as best as he could, what all was going on. He was the sixth Hyde, and they all referred to each other by numerical values. Dr. Jekyl appears to be using old dark magic, reaching back towards the 4th world in order to bring forth The Enemy towards the 6th. Hyde #6 explained that he communicated with Jekyll by calling the name 'Mr. Four Eyes' to summon the spirit who would take the message. Attempting to bait the runners into killing him, Hyde #6 offered up a 10k bounty supposedly from Warboss--Which after some internal arguing and debate, was fact checked, and found to be false. By this time, Clyde had arrived and Newt grew tired of Hyde #6, dropping a flash bang in his lap while Clyde was distracted by Hyde.
Aftermath
Honoring her commitment with Clyde, Catharsis showed up on the following Monday to interview Mr. Hyde #4 and dig for more information on what Dr. Jekyll is up to. As soon as the door locked behind her she dropped the pretense of a psych evaluation--And began questioning Mr. Hyde #4 utilizing the information gained from Mr. Hyde #6. The conversation soon shifted as Mr. Hyde #4 revealed to have a grenade finger at the ready, and demanded Catharsis bring in Clyde, which was refused. She was given the opportunity to plant the finger and leave alive if she sought out a Roman ritual knife that was enchanted as a druid's foci, which was also refused. Ultimately left in a deadlock between obeying Mr. Hyde #4's instructions to place the grenade against the wall, or to get blown up herself, Catharsis chose to take the ghoul's finger and squish it against the wall. Refusing to do any more as the threat of trading positions was leveled against her, Catharsis chose to no longer play the ghoul's games, bailing from the room as it exploded, and fleeing the KE building while Dr. Jekyll's spirits shrieked past her and as Mr. Hyde #4 called for her.
Rewards
17 RVP from extended hours For Sweetie, Newt, and Coldhands 20000 gear rewards (5 RVP) in drugs, weapons, and vehicles from KE impound 12 Karma (12 RVP) 1 Street Cred (1 RVP) 2 CDP
For Catharsis Regular Rewards 12 Karma (12 RVP) 1 Street Cred (1 RVP) 2 CDP
For Catharsis Mundane Ascension (5 RVP) 25 Karma towards skills (5 RVP)
For Newt Tough as Nails Stun-(5 RVP) Sharpshooter-(4 RVP)
For Catharsis Analytical Mind-(5 RVP)
For Coldhands Perceptive Rank 1-(5 RVP)
Contact for Newt Sidewalk C2/L1 (3 RVP)
Optional Contacts Clyde Murphy C2/L1 (3 RVP) War Trash C2/L1 (3 RVP) Alcatraz C3/L1 (4 RVP)
Game Quotes
Player After Action Reports (AARs)
Catharsis
I'm in so over my head at this rate, I don't even know where to start. I need help, but first I need to make sure that Hyde #4 doesn't get to me first.
Cold Hands
"This was a rare opportunity to properly pay someone back for a good turn. That said, I had little idea that the problem that Catharsis needed a bit of support for went this deep. From a worrisome serial killer to a series of serial killer, to a set of ritual murders fueling dark magic - every step of the investigation felt like an escalation. Even if I didn't owe Catharsis, this was a matter I wouldn't have any qualms lending my blade to solve."
"As an aside, facing murderous ghouls in close combat seems to be an unfortunately frequent occurrence in my runs. I need to be careful, else one of these days my luck will run out."