Page 57 - Hunter the Vigil - Mortal Remains

CHAPTER TWO: ALL IS LOST

well away from any of the commonly used thoroughfares. He has drawn Task Force: VALKYRIE
me a map, a copy of which I have attached for your perusal, and after All three of Task Force: VALKYRIE’s open recruiting de-
suitable encouragement, provided me with the names of several farmers partments have had contact with Changelings or other fae crea-
in the general area who may prove useful in exploring the area, assum- tures. And, for the most part, that contact is positive. TFV’s of-
ing they are still alive. O’Sullivan appeared in his mid-50s, making his ficial purpose is to protect humanity from extra-normal entities
information four decades old, give or take. (ENEs); for the most part, TFV doesn’t believe the Lost poses a
While O’Sullivan’s belief is that the location in question is the huge threat to the human race — at least not as a group.
home of the fairies, his accounts align sufficiently with those of known Project TWILIGHT has operatives in direct contact with Lost
vampires to bear further investigation. According to the Registrar, the freeholds across the globe. While their agents can’t actually pass
inhabitants of Dun Dreachfhoula (which is pronounced very similar to as Changelings, there are always hangers-on who have a chance at
Dracula, tellingly enough) drink the blood of any who spend the night in earning their way into the good graces of the local population. By
their castle. Other tales say that the fortress’ residents drain the blood of providing vital supplies and services like false identification, jobs,
those who sleep under their roof and bake it into a bannock (oat cake) and resources, TWILIGHT operatives find it fairly easy to get ears
which they then hide. If the individual does not find and consume the and eyes on freehold members, at least at a sufficient level to as-
cake that contains their blood, they will perish within the fortnight. certain that they’re not planning direct actions against humanity.
While I am uncertain of the significance of the latter tale, the Operation FORT agents are often more focused on un-
first seems clear. I await your orders, but urge a full exploration of this derstanding fae magics than on investigating the Changelings
castle at our soonest opportunity. Evil dwells here, and it is not just to themselves. It is rumored that entire cells have been assigned
allow it to continue. to investigate the Hedge and Arcadia, although no official files
— From correspondence dated July 13, 1964 from Brother Patrick are known to exist on the latter topic. As well, FORT operatives
Bishop to an unknown recipient. are responsible for trapping and containment of a wide vari-
ety of (mostly) non-sentient hedge creatures, although it can be
New Benediction: Saint Collen’s Clarity difficult to imprison creatures who can open doorways to the
Saint Collen was a Welsh monk renowned for his dedica- Hedge with minimal effort.
tion to protecting those around him from supernatural threats. Radio Free Fae operatives often work alongside the TFV
Legends claim he was invited to dine with the fairies in Arca- agents assigned to Operation ADAMSKI, although each rarely
dia, and after refusing three times, finally accepted. The fae realizes that the others are a part of anything more than a loosely
king welcomed Collen into a rich castle, where he was waited tied group of crackpots and cranks. Often, however, one group
upon by an army of servants, and led to a feast table heavy with will provide tips to “prove” supernatural evidence is a hoax, while
all manner of food and drink. The king promised the monk the other ensures the “proof” is well publicized in the appropri-
delights no man had ever tasted before. Collen was not so eas- ate print or electronic sources to cover any situations where fae
ily fooled, however, knowing that those who dine with the fae magics may have been witnessed by outside eyes.
are doomed into their service. He prayed for protection against From the Archives: Subject ENE021-F (Pearl Lawrence) – Sta-
the fae’s deception and sprinkled holy water over everything, tus – Green
whereupon the fairy illusions dissolved, revealing bare tables, Subject still maintains residence and business location as per pre-
empty halls, and the fae king sitting all alone on his hard wood- vious reports. Observations at random intervals over the past month
en throne. show no significant change in behaviors, social/economic/political.
Note that on the day of Saint Collen’s Feast, May 21 , any Subject reported interacting with Subject ENE154-M on 8/17/12
st
successes with this Benediction are treated as exceptional. at approx. 9:38am at location of assumedly unaffiliated restaurant
Action: Instant (address and map of seating arrangements attached). Subjects spoke
Dice Pool: Wits + Benediction for approximately 18 minutes. Topic (per authorized listening device,
Roll Results recording available on request) involved upcoming social gathering, po-
Dramatic Failure: Not only is the hunter unable to pierce tential change in freehold hierarchy (expected, as per report PT32834,
the supernatural illusions in the area, but his ability to accu- re: cyclical shifts in ENE leadership), and a new ENE arrival.
rately perceive the world around him is diminished. For the Action – Investigation of new ENE presence ordered. Subject
remainder of the scene, all Investigation dice pools, or attempts ENE021-F status recommendation Green continued.
to discern truth from lie, are made at a -2 penalty. — From operative report dated 8/23/12.
Failure: No effect.
Success: For the remainder of the scene, supernatural pow- New Advanced Armory: Compound
ers that affect the senses have no effect on the hunter. Invisible Rounds ( to , Renewable)
creatures appear clearly to him, fae miens are revealed, and any Most monsters have a physical vulnerability to a fairly
glamour that makes an object smell, look, sound, or feel different common substance; it can often be hard for a hunter to know
than its true nature does not affect the hunter protected by this which weapon he should be using against a given supernatural.
Benediction. The illusory powers still exist — the hunter is simply When something tall, dark, and furry moves in the shadows, a
able to perceive the truth, and is not affected by falsehoods. hunter only has seconds to determine if he’s facing a wolf-beast
Exceptional Success: The effects of this Benediction last Changeling, a lycanthrope, a shapeshifting witch, or a vampire
for a full day. wearing a wolf-form — and grab the right tool for the job.

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